NCJ Number
205403
Date Published
2004
Length
27 pages
Annotation
This chapter examines the status of sensational interests as possible indicators of serious violent or sexual offending.
Abstract
This chapter begins section 4 of the book, which examines in its three chapters the possible correlations between sensations, substance abuse, and criminality. When reporting on unusual and serious offenses, news media also tend to report on any sensational or exceptional interests of the offender. Usually these types of stories report the sensational interests as if they have some sort of causal connection to the crime. The chapter reviews the research literature regarding sensational interests as possible indicators of serious sexual or violent offending. Much of the research has established that sensational interests are usually not causally related to serious offending. However, the magnetic curiosity sparked by serial killers or sadistic sexual offenders drives the mass media, including music and books, to produce more information concerning these offenders. Evidence is presented that sensational interests are driven by evolutionary processes and are not inherently criminal. Sensational interests may be kept in check by formal and informal social bonds to society, such as the desire for achievement through conventional means. However, a reliable means for examining the empirical and conceptual basis of sensational interests in serious offenders is still necessary. The Sensational Interests Questionnaire (SIQ) identifies items that discriminate between individuals and fall together into meaningful clusters so that individuals may be assessed. The pilot SIQ project is described; results indicated that the SIQ provides a valid and reliable measure of both sensational and non-sensational interests in normal and offending populations. The SIQ-R focuses specifically on sensational interests and requires a more demanding subject response. A case example is presented to illustrate how SIQ scores may correlate to serious violent offending. If interpretations are correct, individuals who are integrated into their society and have normal levels of achievement motivation, coupled with diverse interests, should pose little inherent risk of offending. On the other hand, individuals who are alienated and display pathological individualism and polarized interests involving hedonism and power are potentially more problematic in terms of risk of serious violent offending. References