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Theory of Mind Perspective on Cognitive, Affective, and Intimacy Deficits in Child Sexual Offenders

NCJ Number
181230
Journal
Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment Volume: 12 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2000 Pages: 49-60
Author(s)
Thomas Keenan; Tony Ward
Date Published
January 2000
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This paper argues that the literature on the theory of mind provides a useful source of hypotheses concerning sex offenders' ability to attribute mental states to others.
Abstract
Previous studies of sexual offending have suggested that factors such as intimacy deficits, problems empathizing with victims, and cognitive distortions have all been associated with the initiation and maintenance of sexual abuse. Researchers have developed theories to account for the role of these variables in sex offenses, but a framework that unites their study is lacking. Ward, Keenan, and Hudson recently proposed that sex offenders may have a deficit in their ability to understand and attribute mental states to others. Their review of the literature on sex offense causes suggested that intimacy deficits, empathy deficits, and cognitive distortions all point to a lack of awareness of other peoples' beliefs, desires, perspectives, and need; the developmental literature commonly refer to these concepts as a theory of mind. The present analysis expands on this argument. Among the possible hypotheses concerning sex offenders' ability to attribute mental states to others are that offenders may fail to acquire any theory of mind or may have minor yet widespread deficits and that offenders may experience a delay in the acquisition of a theory of mind. Two further hypotheses are that offenders might have an affective deficit that affects theory of mind and that the failure of self-regulation could result in an offender's neglecting to apply existing theory-of-mind knowledge and skills to the victim. The possibility of different kinds of theory-of-mind problems related to different developmental issues is consistent with the research literature on sex offenders. 58 references (Author abstract modified)