Citation

MacCulloch MJ, Snowden PR, Wood PJW, Mills HE. Br. J. Psychiatry 1983; 143(1): 20-29.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1983, Royal College of Psychiatry)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper explores the genesis of sadistic behaviour in men and its relationship to crime. Sixteen male special hospital patients, each with a diagnosis of psychopathic disorder, formed the basis of this descriptive study. In only three cases were the crimes explicable in terms of external circumstances and personality traits. The offences of the remaining 13 cases became comprehensible only when the offender's internal circumstances were explored: investigation revealed repetitive sadistic masturbatory fantasies which had spilled over into overt behaviour because the patients had felt impelled to seek and create increasingly dangerous in vivo 'try-outs' of their fantasies. The paper discusses the crucial link between sadistic fantasy and behaviour. (Abstract Adapted from Source: British Journal of Psychiatry, 1983. Copyright © 1983 by the Royal College of Psychiatrists)

Sadism
Offender Characteristics
Adult Offender
Adult Psychopathology
Juvenile Offender
Juvenile Violence
Juvenile Psychopathology
Adult Violence
Mental Illness
Mentally Ill Adult
Mentally Ill Juvenile
Mentally Ill Offender
Sexual Fantasy
Fantasy Effects
Violence Causes
Crime Causes
Offender Motivation
Adult Crime
Juvenile Crime
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