NCJ Number
95740
Journal
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica Volume: 54 Issue: 2 Dated: (1976) Pages: 92-98
Date Published
1976
Length
7 pages
Annotation
An analysis of 11 children (one girl, 10 boys) convicted of homicide indicates a maternal over-dominant relationship in eight of the males studied.
Abstract
The murderers were found to have more cooperative personalities that other children found guilty of noncapital offenses and showed both normal intelligence and personality factors. Despite a history of 'blackouts' in several cases, all were found on investigation to be free from both major and minor epilepsy. Difficulty was experienced in determining the presence or absence of parental alcoholism, promiscuity, and criminal convictions. All of the children came from normal homes and apart from minor offenses none had been involved previously in serious antisocial behavior. Future research is indicated on two aspects: (a) role of the working mother with particular reference to maternal dominance, and (b) the 'Cycle of Deprivation' theory. Tabular and graphic data and 16 references are provided. (Author abstract modified)