The works included cover the period 1897 to 1979. The pertinent literature (138 items) is arranged chronologically in a table so that general trends in research approaches can be seen. According to the lines of development evident in the table, case histories were the principal type of study approach used until about 1960, with an increase in the amount of interpretation toward the end of the period. After 1960, studies started to appear on statistical trends. At the same time, researchers began to consider auto-aggression as a consequence of broad environmental factors rather than as a strictly individual phenomenon. The number of empirical studies increased after the mid-1960's. Several years later, researchers began to use psychological tests and to correlate certain forms of deviant behavior to self-inflicted injuries. The data from most studies derive from analysis of documents rather than from immediate contact with the prisoners themselves. Further research on a clinical level is deemed desirable. An alphabetical bibliography of about 150 entries is also appended.