The Psychology of Dexter - Bella DePaulo [21]
Research suggests that there is no cookie-cutter strategy for setting a callous-unemotional child right. Effective handling should focus on as many of the problems the child exhibits as possible, which means that treatment needs to be individualized for each particular case.12 The Code of Harry was highly individualized for Dexter’s unique disposition, and while it worked for him, it might have different effects on another child. Nonetheless, the result is clear: Dexter developed a sense of morality, whereas Brian did not.
Ultimately, these moral values led Dexter to a rejection of his blood-brother Brian in favor of his adoptive sister Deb, who shares his sense of morality. He learned from proper parenting and though it pained him to kill his biological brother and condemn his own nature along with Brian’s, he saw value in this decision. He couldn’t stand to see Deb harmed. Not only was she innocent, but he also admitted he was fond of her. Dexter has a conscience.
The Butterfly Effect
People aren’t born psychopaths. They may have inherited traits that dispose them to psychopathy, such as callous-unemotional affect, but that alone does not set a course for problem behavior. In fact, most callous-unemotional children grow up to be productive members of society rather than psychopaths. It requires nurture, or the lack thereof, for those traits to develop unfettered and unbalanced by a sense of morality. A stressful, traumatic, or neglectful childhood is the wind that propels a ship toward mental illness. Brian may have been caught in a trap due to his genetic propensity for trouble coupled with a traumatic and neglected youth. He had no guardian to help him develop a conscience; after his mother’s death, he was left behind. Though Dexter inherited the same traits, he received loving support from an understanding foster parent. With proper parenting and a high-quality environment, even children who inherit a fearless temperament and callous-unemotional affect may develop into (seemingly) normal, moral adults and people we can relate to.
After all, we like Dexter—in spite of his penchant for murder.
Joshua L. Gowin was born in Fort Collins, Colorado, on May 3, 1983, the son of Sheila and Frank Gowin. In 2004, he received his BA, with distinction, from the University of Colorado with a major in psychology and a minor in mathematics. For the next year, he worked as an English teacher in France and Russia. In 2006, he entered the University of Texas Health in Houston, Texas, where he received a master’s in neuroscience. In the spring of 2009 he worked as an editorial intern for Psychology Today in New York City. He is currently finishing up his PhD.
Even if you watch Dexter just for entertainment, you can see the commonalities in Dexter’s kills. There is a characteristic way that he chooses his victims, stalks them, nicks their cheek and collects a smudge of the blood, has a little conversation with them, then murders them. To the trained forensic scientist, though, that’s not just one seamless routine, but three separate parts—the modus operandi, the signature or calling card, and the victimology. The different parts matter, and in catching a killer like Dexter, the signature may matter most of all. Clinical psychologist Marisa Mauro, who has worked with all manner of miscreants, believes that she can discern Dexter’s fantasies from his calling card. I think her speculations are, well, fantastic!
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF DEXTER’S KILLS
MARISA MAURO
An Investigation of Modus Operandi, Signature, and Victimology
There is an old police adage that every crime scene tells a story. We all know, thanks to the multitude of television a shows depicting police