Social connectedness matters: a functional analytic overview of Jeffrey Dahmer’s Netflix Series

Abstract

This article examines Dahmer’s life according to the Netflix TV series based on Functional Analytic Behavior Psychotherapy (FAP) principles, focusing on his relationship with his father, mother, and stepmother. The causes of abnormal behavior can be understood utilizing behavior analysis and FAP’s principles, as we demonstrate that its causes can be founded in the person-context relationship history and not necessarily in a specific trauma or physical/brain disorder. To examine these behaviors, we identified and systematized 18 dialogues between Dahmer and his relatives during the Netflix TV series and analyzed the dialogues during the episode. As presented in this article, Dahmer’s life shows how social connectedness matters and highlights how the FAP principles are important as psychotherapy and a way of life. Several other aspects of Dahmer’s dialogues and life can be (and must be) analyzed to understand his behavior.