NCJ Number
75843
Journal
Journal of Clinical Psychology Volume: 37 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1981) Pages: 210-218
Date Published
1981
Length
9 pages
Annotation
A technique utilizing criminal fantasy as a method for predicting crime and as a vehicle for gaining insights into offender behavior was investigated.
Abstract
A group of 50 inmates charged with sex offenses and a group of 13 subjects receiving treatment for substance abuse were shown 12 cards depicting crimes about to occur or in progress, and were asked to develop a story about each incident. Responses were analyzed blindly by two experienced psychologists. Cards designed to elicit responses not related to sexual offenses resulted in no differences in response between the two groups. The sex offenders consistently developed more pathological stories. The cards designed to elicit fantasies related to sexual crimes were successful in differentiating between the two groups. Cards depicting burglaries performed solo or under bizarre conditions elicited sexual fantasy responses. The fantasy stories developed in conjunction with the test provided useful insight information capable of assisting in developing psychodynamic understanding of the subjects. A graph, 13 references, and excerpts of subjects' narrative responses are included.