The Psychological Profile Of Adolf Hitler: 9 Personality Traits
If someone asks us the name of some of the people who have caused the most deaths throughout modern history, it is easy for the name to come to mind. Adolf Hitler
This German soldier and politician of Austrian origin, responsible for the start of the Second World War and the death of millions of people under his mandate as Führer, has been one of the most feared historical figures of modernity.
The characteristics of his personality and his leadership and manipulation skills, as could be seen for example in his ability to use rhetoric and oratory, have been the subject of study ever since. In this article we will try to offer Hitler’s psychological profile based on the profiles made by Murray and the visualization of graphic and literary documents.
Establishing a psychological profile of a specific person without directly observing or analyzing their behavior and characteristics is complicated and ineffective, since a real psychological examination cannot be carried out. Any psychological profile carried out on a person without contact between a health professional and the subject in question is more imprecise, which also occurs when preparing the psychological profile of a deceased person.
In the case of Hitler, there is no evidence that he underwent a psychiatric evaluation, and the professionals who were in direct contact with him died, probably being executed by the SS or sent to concentration camps. The only way to try to establish something resembling a psychological profile is the analysis of his speeches, his actions and the ideas he transmitted through writing.
Adolf Hitler’s personality was an aspect that greatly concerned different governments during World War II. At the time in which he lived, various researchers and experts were commissioned to establish a psychological profile of the dictator. Specifically those carried out by Henry Murray for the Office of Strategic Services stand out (Office of Strategic Services or OSS, precursor of today’s CIA) and by Joseph MacCurdy both profiles being in line.
However, it must be taken into account that neither of the two authors had direct contact with the analysand, so that the profiles created were made from the analysis of different materials and not from the exploration of the individual.
The main personality characteristics of Adolf Hitler that can be extracted from these reports, as well as from the different documentary sources, both audiovisual and written, include the following considerations.
1. Egolatry and Messiah complex
In the different speeches and documents that are preserved from the dictator, it is possible to observe how Adolf Hitler was considered a chosen force to lead Germany and bring her victory. He considered himself an embodiment of good, destined to lead his people.
This fact would be favored by the adoration of a large part of the German people during his rise to power. Nowadays, it could be considered a case of self-referential delusion.
2. Difficulties with intimacy
Hitler’s intimate life, apart from his relationship with Eva Braun, is little known. However, the records of the time seem to indicate that although the dictator could display great charm with those around him and followed him, he had severe problems establishing deep relationships, in part because of how difficult it was for him. Express your feelings regarding affection.
3. Feelings of inferiority and self-hatred
The different studies and profiles that have been carried out on his personality and his history indicate that the dictator I had a strong inferiority complex, which in turn prompted him to seek superiority and self-affirmation. In fact, the report prepared by Murray highlights the presence of a weak ego structure, possibly a product of the mistreatment to which he was subjected by his father.
It is also partly revealing that the Aryan race he advocated had characteristics that he himself lacked, which seems to favor the idea of the existence of low self-esteem and feelings of inferiority.
4. Contempt for weakness
Associated with the previous trait we find the presence of a contempt for weakness. This contempt for those he considered inferior can be observed in his actions and the systematic elimination of those who were considered weak at the time, such as psychiatric patients and the intellectually disabled.
5. Perseverance
The various records and communications seem to indicate that Hitler was especially tenacious and stubborn when it came to his objectives, and It was very difficult for him to admit defeat In fact, Murray’s report indicated that there was a probability that the dictator would commit suicide if he lost the war.
6. Charisma and manipulation skills
One of the best-known facets of Adolf Hitler’s personality is his high capacity for charisma. The German dictator aroused passions among his troops and among the masses as can be seen in the various graphic documents of his speeches and the behavior and staunch loyalty towards him by most of his troops.
Likewise, his ability to convince and manipulate both the masses and individuals of his position and the truthfulness of his words stands out.
7. Theatricality
Adolf Hitler He had a great capacity for theatricalization and drama which helped him easily reach the people and helped convince others of his points of view.
8. Obsession with power
As with many other dictators, power was important to Hitler. The creation of organizations such as the Gestapo to maintain the obedience of the population and the elimination of dissidents are proof of this. In the same way can be seen in its expansionist policy, invading different countries like Poland or trying to attack Russia. In the book he wrote while in prison, Mein Kampfhe went so far as to write that his party was not there to serve the masses, but to subdue them.
The little or no capacity to identify with the subject peoples and the proposal of various extermination plans for various types of population such as Jews, homosexuals, gypsies, people with psychiatric problems and dissidents demonstrate a little or no capacity for empathy.
Psychopathologies associated with the dictator
The different personality characteristics together with the atrocity of his actions have meant that throughout history various mental disorders have been attributed to Hitler. The Murray Report spoke of schizophrenia, neurosis and hysteria among other terms.
Other authors reflect that Hitler may have suffered from disorders due to substance abuse, paranoid schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or even Asperger’s syndrome. He is also associated with different paraphilias such as sadomasochism. The personality characteristics described above may have a certain connection with the existence of a certain degree of psychopathy, given that typical characteristics of this type of subject are met, but it is also very possible that they are pure propaganda to discredit their figure. taking advantage of the stigmas that weighed on people with mental disorders
In any case, it must be taken into account that none of these considerations can be considered proven or firmly stated, since, as we have said, they are based on the analysis of events and documents without having maintained real contact with the person analyzed. Likewise, there is a risk of minimizing the responsibility of the subject, as well as trivializing something as serious as the mass genocide committed by the leader of Nazism.
