Empathy Deficits as a Predictor of Sexual Offenses beyond Abuse Experiences
0
조회
0
다운로드
0
인용
0
참고문헌
키워드
초록
The importance of empathy to sexual offenders lies in the notion that sexual aggression is inversely related to empathic response. It has been thought that poor parenting practices such as persistently abusive acts would influence the normal development of empathy. While the association between abuse experiences from primary caregivers and lower level of empathy is apparently present, it is still inconclusive whether empathy deficits could account for violent offending such as sexual offending as a mere effect up above the abuse experiences. Therefore, the present study examined if empathy deficits predicted violent offenses (sexual and nonsexual) when abuse experiences from primary caregivers were controlled for. In general, empathy deficits significantly predicted violent offenses(sexual and nonsexual offenses) of sexual offenders after controlling for physical and sexual abuse that they experienced from primary caregivers. When looking into the independent role of empathy and abuse experiences, empathy and physical abuse significantly predicted violent-nonsexual offenses, while empathy and sexual abuse significantly predicted violent-sexual offenses. The implication about these findings were discussed in conjunction with empathy training program in clinical settings for sexual offenders.
Abstract
The importance of empathy to sexual offenders lies in the notion that sexual aggression is inversely related to empathic response. It has been thought that poor parenting practices such as persistently abusive acts would influence the normal development of empathy. While the association between abuse experiences from primary caregivers and lower level of empathy is apparently present, it is still inconclusive whether empathy deficits could account for violent offending such as sexual offending as a mere effect up above the abuse experiences. Therefore, the present study examined if empathy deficits predicted violent offenses (sexual and nonsexual) when abuse experiences from primary caregivers were controlled for. In general, empathy deficits significantly predicted violent offenses(sexual and nonsexual offenses) of sexual offenders after controlling for physical and sexual abuse that they experienced from primary caregivers. When looking into the independent role of empathy and abuse experiences, empathy and physical abuse significantly predicted violent-nonsexual offenses, while empathy and sexual abuse significantly predicted violent-sexual offenses. The implication about these findings were discussed in conjunction with empathy training program in clinical settings for sexual offenders.
참고문헌 (24)
- Abel, G. G., "The measurement of cognitive distortions of child molesters", Annals of Sex Research, 2, pp.135~152 (1989)
- Barbaree, H. E., "Deviant sexual arousal in rapists", Behavior Research and Therapy, 17, pp.215~222 (1979)
- Barnett, M. A., "Adolescents’ evaluations of peers motives for helping", Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 16, pp.579~586 (1987)
- Batson, C. D., "Empathic joy and the empathy -altruism hypothesis", Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61(3), pp.413~426 (1991)
- Becker J. V., "Level of postassault sexual functioning in rape and incest victims", Archives of Sexual Behavior, 15(1), pp.37~49 (1986)
- Davis, M. H., "A multidimensional approach to individual differences in empathy", Catalog of Selected Documents in Psychology, 10, pp.85~ (1980)
- Davis, M. H., "Measuring individual differences in empathy: evidence for a multidimensional approach", Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 44, pp.113~126 (1983)
- Davis, M. H., "Maintenance of satisfaction in romantic relationships: Empathy and relational competence", Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 53, pp.397~410 (1987)
- Fernandez Y. M., "Victim empathy, social self-esteem, and psychopathy in rapists", Sexual Abuse, 15(1), pp.11~26 (2003)
- Fernandez Y. M., "The child molester empathy measure: description and examination of its reliability and validity", Sexual Abuse, 11(1), pp.17~31 (1999)
- Feschbach, N. D., "Empathy in children: Some theoretical and empirical considerations", Counseling Psychologist, 5, pp.25~30 (1975)
- Finkelhor, D., "Human sexual aggression: current perspectives", pp.64~78 (1988), Plenum
- Goldsten, A. P., "Empathy: Development, training and consequences" (1985), Erlbaum
- Hildebran, D., "Relapse prevention with sex offender", pp.236~243 (1989), Guilford
- Koestner, R., "The family origins of empathic concern: A 26-year-old longitudinal study", Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 58, pp.709~717 (1990)
- Marshall, W. L., "Handbook of sexual assault: issues, theories, and treatment of the offender", pp.257~275 (1990), Plenum
- Marshall, W. L., "Empathy in sex offenders", Clinical Psychology Review, 15, pp.99~113 (1995)
- Miller P. A., "The relation of empathy to aggressive and externalizing", antisocial behavior, 1988, pp.103(3), 324~344
- Pithers, W. D., "Process evaluation of a group therapy component designed to enhance sex offenders’ empathy for sexual abuse survivors", Behavioral Research and Therapy, 32, pp.565~570 (1994)
- Smallbone, S. W., "Trait empathy and criminal versatility in sexual offenders", Sexual Abuse: a Journal of Research and Treatment, 15(1), pp.49~60 (2003)
- Strayer, J., "Children’s empathy and role taking: Child and parental factors and relations to prosocial behavior", Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 10, pp.227~239 (1989)
- Williams, L. M., "Handbook of sexual assault: issues, theories, and treatment", pp.231~255 (1990), Plenum
- Zahn-Waxler, C., "The origins of empathic concern", Motivation and Emotion, 14(2), pp.107~130 (1990)
- Zahn-Waxler, C., "Handbook of Social Development: A lifespan perspective" (1991), Plenum Press