The Dobler-Dahmer Theory is devised by Ted Mosby. In P.S. I Love You, Ted explains to his gang, that
"If both people are into each other, then a big romantic gesture works: Dobler, but if one person isn't into the other, the same gesture comes off serial-killer crazy: Dahmer."
This is further explained applying this theory on how Marshall asked Lily out by singing her a song he wrote at Wesleyan University. Ted, being charmed by Jeanette finding him, believes at first that she is a Dobler, but she turns out to be a Dahmer.
Notes and Trivia[]
- The Theory is a reference to Lloyd Dobler from the late 1980's romantic comedy film, Say Anything, and Jeffrey Dahmer, an infamous serial killer.
- The Theory lies in the same subcategory as Hot/Crazy Scale and Crazy Eyes, both of which also deal with the relationship between romance and sociopathy.