Self-Concepts and Interpersonal Perceptions of Sexual Offenders in Relation to Brain Abnormalities (From Sexual Offender Treatment: Biopsychosocial Perspectives, P 49-56, 2000, Eli Coleman, Ph.D., and Michael Miner, Ph.D., eds. -- See NCJ-190183)

• NCJ Number: 190185
• Author(s): Stefan Fruehwald M.D.; Reinhard Eher M.D.; Patrick Frottier M.D.; Martin Aigner M.D.
• Date Published: 2000
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: Haworth Press, Inc
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper examined self-concepts and interpersonal perceptions of sexual offenders in relation to brain abnormalities.

Abstract

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) detected a higher rate of minimal brain abnormalities in a sample of highly violent incarcerated sexual offenders compared to a low violence group. Although similar in age, the MRI-positive group (n = 17) had more previous nonsexual violent felonies and more property offenses than the MRI-negative subjects (n = 21). When comparing self-perceptions of aggression, self-concepts, and interpersonal problems in offender groups, those with brain abnormalities showed lower self-perceived aggression and slightly better self-concepts. Self-perceived aggression in offenders without brain abnormalities was highly dependent from [sic] social and interpersonal self-perceptions, whereas these associations could not be shown in offenders with brain abnormalities. The paper concluded that minimal brain abnormalities in sexual offenders might lead to disruption of social perception and feelings of aggression and anxiety. Further, this disconnection of a functioning feedback regulation between social perception and awareness of social desirability and adequate feelings might be triggered by minimal brain abnormalities and thus be responsible for more violent and less empathic behavior. Tables, references