NCJ Number
157515
Journal
Corrective and Social Psychiatry Volume: 40 Issue: 1-4 Dated: (1994) Pages: 16-20
Date Published
1994
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This critical examination of the sexual addiction concept of Carnes identifies a problem with its ritualization concept, since normal people engage in social rituals much of the time.
Abstract
Case histories of young sex offenders treated in prison are presented to promote an understanding of sex offenders and to suggest that two parts of the Carnes sexual addiction cycle, preoccupation and compulsive sexual behavior, are helpful in working with sex offenders. The other two parts of the Carnes sexual addiction cycle, ritualization and despair, are not applicable to young sex offenders. The Carnes concept is seen as having limited usefulness in working with incarcerated sex offenders. Issues regarding sex offenders are addressed, and recommendations for further research are offered. 14 references