A case study of Jeffrey Dahmer
- Authors: Freeman, Chanté F
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Serial murders -- Case studies , Personality development -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51032 , vital:43202
- Description: Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer is an infamous serial killer and cannibal. He was described as a normal, but shy little boy, yet developed into an adult who brutally murdered, engaged in necrophiliac acts, dismembered and ate parts of his victims. This study took the form of an intrinsic case study with the aim to explore and describe the personality development of Jeffrey Dahmer. This exploration examined Dahmer’s known childhood experiences through the theoretical perspective of Otto Kernberg’s (1974, 1975, 1976) Object Relations Theory, in order to understand how Dahmer’s personality was formed. Data was collected from multiple resources, including books, authoritative biographies, academic articles, and internet sources available in the public domain. It was analysed using Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña’s (2014) three-step process namely, data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. This study’s findings confirmed the formation of pathological behavioural patterns supported by primitive defence mechanisms, associated with Kernberg’s lower level pathologies. It reflected Dahmer’s pathological formation of psychic structures seen in a diffuse identity and impaired formation of the superego, that supported these patterns. Additionally, the research was valuable in enhancing the researcher’s insight into personality development according to Kernberg’s Object Relations Theory. This study may also be beneficial to practising clinicians and professionals as an example of the early identification of personality pathology. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Freeman, Chanté F
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Serial murders -- Case studies , Personality development -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51032 , vital:43202
- Description: Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer is an infamous serial killer and cannibal. He was described as a normal, but shy little boy, yet developed into an adult who brutally murdered, engaged in necrophiliac acts, dismembered and ate parts of his victims. This study took the form of an intrinsic case study with the aim to explore and describe the personality development of Jeffrey Dahmer. This exploration examined Dahmer’s known childhood experiences through the theoretical perspective of Otto Kernberg’s (1974, 1975, 1976) Object Relations Theory, in order to understand how Dahmer’s personality was formed. Data was collected from multiple resources, including books, authoritative biographies, academic articles, and internet sources available in the public domain. It was analysed using Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña’s (2014) three-step process namely, data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. This study’s findings confirmed the formation of pathological behavioural patterns supported by primitive defence mechanisms, associated with Kernberg’s lower level pathologies. It reflected Dahmer’s pathological formation of psychic structures seen in a diffuse identity and impaired formation of the superego, that supported these patterns. Additionally, the research was valuable in enhancing the researcher’s insight into personality development according to Kernberg’s Object Relations Theory. This study may also be beneficial to practising clinicians and professionals as an example of the early identification of personality pathology. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
A Psychobiographical Study of Charles Manson
- Authors: Flatela, Sambesiwe
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Psychology -- Biographical methods , Personality development -- Psychological aspects , Criminals -- United States -- Biography
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51021 , vital:43201
- Description: Charles Manson was notorious for his antisocial behaviour and influence; through his charisma, he formed a group of followers known as the Manson family. Manson and his followers became involved in various criminal activities which culminated in the murder of 7 people. These murders were not committed by Manson per say, but he planned them, and incited his followers to commit them; this resulted in a trial and Manson going to prison, being given a life sentence. He continued to influence people while he served his sentence in prison. Manson died of natural causes in November 2017. The research study explores and describes the life of Manson in the form of a psychobiography. The aim of the study was to gain insight into the personality development of Charles Manson. This was achieved by applying Otto Kernberg’s Object Relations Theory to Manson’s known life experiences. Various data was collected and triangulated, using primary and secondary sources. Miles, Huberman, and Saldana’s (2013) three step procedure was used to analyse the data. The findings highlight the influence of genetics and rejection as pivotal to the unfolding of Manson’s personality, and provide insight into how his antisocial patterns unfolded. They highlight, in particular, his use of control, dominance and devaluation to protect his positive experience of self. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Psychology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Flatela, Sambesiwe
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Psychology -- Biographical methods , Personality development -- Psychological aspects , Criminals -- United States -- Biography
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51021 , vital:43201
- Description: Charles Manson was notorious for his antisocial behaviour and influence; through his charisma, he formed a group of followers known as the Manson family. Manson and his followers became involved in various criminal activities which culminated in the murder of 7 people. These murders were not committed by Manson per say, but he planned them, and incited his followers to commit them; this resulted in a trial and Manson going to prison, being given a life sentence. He continued to influence people while he served his sentence in prison. Manson died of natural causes in November 2017. The research study explores and describes the life of Manson in the form of a psychobiography. The aim of the study was to gain insight into the personality development of Charles Manson. This was achieved by applying Otto Kernberg’s Object Relations Theory to Manson’s known life experiences. Various data was collected and triangulated, using primary and secondary sources. Miles, Huberman, and Saldana’s (2013) three step procedure was used to analyse the data. The findings highlight the influence of genetics and rejection as pivotal to the unfolding of Manson’s personality, and provide insight into how his antisocial patterns unfolded. They highlight, in particular, his use of control, dominance and devaluation to protect his positive experience of self. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Psychology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
A psychobiographical study of Gavin Maxwell: a Kernberg object relations approach
- Authors: Walters, Jacqueline
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Personality development -- Psychological aspects , Psychology -- Biographical methods
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52363 , vital:43619
- Description: Gavin Maxwell was an author and naturalist. He published a memoir called A Ring of Bright Water, which shaped the way millions of readers viewed nature. Maxwell wrote simple prose which paints an idyllic and moving picture of his time spent in his “lost paradise”, alongside his beloved animals, most notably his otters. However, in reality Maxwell was a man in conflict, seen in volatile relationships, financial recklessness, and the preference for the company of animals over people. The aim of this study was to explore Maxwell’s life to gain insight into his personality development. This was achieved by applying Otto Kernberg’s Object Relations Theory to his life experiences. In doing so the author hoped to gain an understanding of the personality dynamics that led to Maxwell’s relational difficulties and eccentricities. Data was collected by triangulating multiple sources of information on his life. Miles and Huberman’s (1994) three step approach was used to analyse data collected. These steps are: data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. The research study found that Maxwell’s personality development was likely arrested at the third stage of Kernberg’s model. Maxwell relied primarily on immature defence mechanisms based in splitting and possessed a fragile ego structure which he protected through grandiosity. The findings indicated that Maxwell’s personality falls in the borderline level of functioning with a strong likelihood of pathological narcissism. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Walters, Jacqueline
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Personality development -- Psychological aspects , Psychology -- Biographical methods
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52363 , vital:43619
- Description: Gavin Maxwell was an author and naturalist. He published a memoir called A Ring of Bright Water, which shaped the way millions of readers viewed nature. Maxwell wrote simple prose which paints an idyllic and moving picture of his time spent in his “lost paradise”, alongside his beloved animals, most notably his otters. However, in reality Maxwell was a man in conflict, seen in volatile relationships, financial recklessness, and the preference for the company of animals over people. The aim of this study was to explore Maxwell’s life to gain insight into his personality development. This was achieved by applying Otto Kernberg’s Object Relations Theory to his life experiences. In doing so the author hoped to gain an understanding of the personality dynamics that led to Maxwell’s relational difficulties and eccentricities. Data was collected by triangulating multiple sources of information on his life. Miles and Huberman’s (1994) three step approach was used to analyse data collected. These steps are: data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. The research study found that Maxwell’s personality development was likely arrested at the third stage of Kernberg’s model. Maxwell relied primarily on immature defence mechanisms based in splitting and possessed a fragile ego structure which he protected through grandiosity. The findings indicated that Maxwell’s personality falls in the borderline level of functioning with a strong likelihood of pathological narcissism. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
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