NCJ Number
112334
Journal
Individual Psychology Volume: 44 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1988) Pages: 85-94
Date Published
1988
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study tests whether there are similarities between adolescent sex offenders' early recollections (ER's) and masturbatory fantasies as indicated by ratings on the Early Recollections Rating Scale (ERRS).
Abstract
Subjects were eight adolescent males ranging from 13 to 17 years old. The subjects and their families were referred by juvenile court for psychological counseling and treatment for sex-related offenses. None of the subjects had been incarcerated for their sex offense. Three ER's were collected from each subject using Emrick's method of sequencing sexually exploitive fantasies. The fantasies and ER's were rated on content and affect using the ERRS. The sequence of emotions experienced by each subject in his sexual fantasy matched exactly with the sequence of emotions in at least one of his ER's. The supports Willhite's (1978) view that the sequence of emotions in dysfunctional behavior (in this case, sexual aggression) parallel the sequence of emotions in ER's. Apparently the interpretations of a sex offender's ER's could reveal the particular dynamics of his offense. These findings may prove useful in the diagnosis and treatment of juvenile sex offenders. 3 tables and 16 references.