Questionnaire data from 101 men on probation for felony child sexual abuse and 89 men on probation for nonsexual felonies revealed that sex offenders appear to have a more fragile self-concept and are more focused on ego-motivations in their sexual offenders than are nonoffenders. Sex offenders are more likely than others to use fantasies as a tool to reinforce their positive self-view and to minimize any potential threats to their positive self-view. The authors' theory of motivated self-deception suggests that the sexual fantasies of sex offenders are likely to incorporate powerful self-deceptive strategies that have a central influence on developing and maintaining the distorted belief system that enables offenders to abuse without recognizing the harm they are causing. Addressing the functions served by deviant fantasies throughout the entire chain of abuse does not by itself stop offenders from reoffending. However, it may make it more difficult for them to ignore how they create the latitude they need to interpret things as they wish and how they are ultimately responsible for their choices to act. 34 references