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NCJRS Abstract

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NCJ Number:	186820

Title:	Cognitions Supportive of Child Molestation

Journal:	Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume:5 Issue:6 Dated:November-December 2000 Pages:551-564

Author(s):	James Horley

Date Published:	2000

Page Count:	14

Publisher:	http://www.elsevier.com/locate/aggviobeh

Type:	Literature Review

Format:	Article

Language:	English

Country:	United States of America

Annotation:	The examination of child molesters' thoughts about themselves and other people, particularly their young victims, has been pursued irregularly over the past four decades; this critical review summarizes relevant theory and empirical research from a number of fields (e.g., clinical psychology, social psychology, and sociology of deviance).

Abstract:	The literature manifests increasing agreement regarding some findings in the area of child molesters' cognitions. One robust finding concerns fantasy, especially deviant sexual fantasy. Child molesters apparently fantasize about their offenses prior to the actual behavior. This may be more true for obsessed or preferential molesters than regressed or situational offenders, but such a state-of-affairs has yet to be established. Reduction or elimination of deviant fantasy and replacement by more appropriate images should be a target of treatment programs for child molesters. Child molesters may view themselves as undesirable or less than adequate individuals. Negative self-image may provide the basis for the relatively consistent behavioral finding that many child molesters display or report shyness or difficulty in social interaction. The importance of assessing and altering thoughts about inadequacy or lack of social/sexual efficacy is indicated. Social cognitive research into child molesters' attributional processes has found that molesters tend to have difficulty accounting for their sexually deviant behavior. Many ascribe their offenses to alcohol abuse. More detailed studies that examine differences among molesters must be done. 85 references

Main Term(s):	Juvenile victims

Index Term(s):	Child molesters; Child Sexual Abuse; Mental disorders; Offender attitudes; Treatment techniques



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