A dryer and a dryer control method using a sensing unit and a timer to vary drying operations depending on the state of drying laundry are disclosed. The method for controlling an automatic dryer having a drying part including a heater, a fan, and a drum includes the steps of operating the drying part while monitoring an internal temperature and an internal humidity of the drum, continuously operating the heater, the fan, and the drum until the internal temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, and operating the fan intermittently when the internal temperature reaches the predetermined temperature. The method further includes operating the heater intermittently when the internal humidity reaches a predetermined humidity, discontinuing heater operation upon lapse of a first predetermined time, discontinuing fan operation upon lapse of a second predetermined time, and discontinuing drum operation upon lapse of a third predetermined time.