Psychopathy in the Pedophile (From Psychopathy: Antisocial, Criminal, and Violent Behavior, P 304-320, 1998, Theodore Millon, Erik Simonsen, et al, eds.--See NCJ-179236)

• NCJ Number: 179240
• Author(s): Darwin Dorr
• Date Published: 1998
• Length: 17 pages
• Sale Source: Guilford Publications, Inc.
• Publication Format: Book (Hardbound)
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper argues that pedophilia may represent a special case or subcase of psychopathy and that the main aims of both the psychopath and the pedophile are to dominate, to use, and to subjugate another person in service of the grandiose self.

Abstract

The analysis considers the psychological sequelae of child sexual abuse, the characteristics of the psychopath, studies of the personality characteristics of pedophiles, and the failure of the ego function in pedophiles. It also reviews psychometric evidence of the relationship between psychopathy and child sexual abuse as measured through the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), as well as analyses of the pedophile in terms of Millon's theory of personality. It notes that the major differences between psychopaths and pedophiles are that the object of the predation for the pedophile is a child and that the overt behavioral manifestation of the pathology is sexual. In addition, the dynamics of psychopathy are clearly apparent in the majority of child molesters. Extrapolation of knowledge of the psychological dynamics of psychopathy may deepen understanding of the pedophile and thus may guide diagnostic and treatment interventions. Note and 40 references