The Role of Fantasy in a Serial Sexual Offender: A Brief Review of the Literature and a Case Report
Felice Carabellese M.D.
Department of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 14, 70124 Bari, Italy.
Search for more papers by this authorRoberto Maniglio Psy.D.
Department of Pedagogic, Psychological, and Didactic Sciences, University of Salento, Via Stampacchia 45/47, 73100 Lecce, Italy.
Search for more papers by this authorOronzo Greco M.D.
Department of Pedagogic, Psychological, and Didactic Sciences, University of Salento, Via Stampacchia 45/47, 73100 Lecce, Italy.
Search for more papers by this authorRoberto Catanesi M.D.
Department of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 14, 70124 Bari, Italy.
Search for more papers by this authorFelice Carabellese M.D.
Department of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 14, 70124 Bari, Italy.
Search for more papers by this authorRoberto Maniglio Psy.D.
Department of Pedagogic, Psychological, and Didactic Sciences, University of Salento, Via Stampacchia 45/47, 73100 Lecce, Italy.
Search for more papers by this authorOronzo Greco M.D.
Department of Pedagogic, Psychological, and Didactic Sciences, University of Salento, Via Stampacchia 45/47, 73100 Lecce, Italy.
Search for more papers by this authorRoberto Catanesi M.D.
Department of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 14, 70124 Bari, Italy.
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Abstract: Extensive research has attempted to elucidate the role of fantasy in sexual offending. In this paper, the authors summarize the main results of the literature, especially the contents, themes, dynamics, etiopathogenesis, and potential functions of fantasy in sexual offending. Further, the authors analyze the case of a serial sexual offender who assaulted 39 women. The forensic-psychiatric assessment revealed that his fantasies of forced sex, sexual coercion, and dominance, which were linked to narcissistic personality organization and functioning, were the primary drive mechanism in his crimes, because he imagined himself in the role of the aggressor, identified with the power associated with the role of perpetrator, and was sexually aroused by such images of omnipotent control of the victim. In conclusions, the authors suggest that fantasies of sexual aggression, coercion, and dominance of women may stimulate grandiosity and omnipotence and, in a minority of cases, may lead to sexual offending.
References
- 1 Leitenberg H, Henning K. Sexual fantasy. Psychol Bull 1995; 117: 469–96.
- 2 Baumgartner JV, Scalora MJ, Huss MT. Assessment of the Wilson Sex Fantasy Questionnaire among child molesters and nonsexual forensic offenders. Sex Abuse 2002; 14: 19–30.
- 3 Curnoe S, Langevin R. Personality and deviant sexual fantasies: an examination of the MMPIs of sex offenders. J Clin Psychol 2002; 58: 803–15.
- 4 Dandescu A, Wolfe R. Considerations on fantasy use by child molesters and exhibitionists. Sex Abuse 2003; 15: 297–305.
- 5 Dean KE, Malamuth NM. Characteristics of men who aggress sexually and of men who imagine aggressing: risk and moderating variables. J Pers Soc Psychol 1997; 72: 449–55.
- 6 Gee D, Devilly GJ, Ward T. The content of sexual fantasies for sexual offenders. Sex Abuse 2004; 16: 315–31.
- 7 Gee D, Ward T, Eccleston L. The function of sexual fantasies for sexual offenders: a preliminary model. Behav Change 2003; 20: 44–60.
- 8 Hazelwood R, Warren J. The relevance of fantasy in serial sexual crime investigation. In: R Hazelwood, A Burgess, editors. Practical aspects of rape investigation. New York, NY: NYC Press, 1995; 2.
- 9 Howitt D. What is the role of fantasy in sex offending? Crim Behav Ment Health 2004; 14: 182–8.
- 10 Looman J. Mood, conflict, and deviant sexual fantasies. In: BK Schwartz, editor. The sex offender: theoretical advances, treating special populations and legal developments. Kingston, NJ: Civic Research Institute, 1997; 3–11.
- 11 MacCulloch M, Gray N, Watt A. Brittain’s sadistic murderer syndrome reconsidered: an associative account of the aetiology of sadistic sexual fantasy. J Forensic Psychiatry 2000; 11: 401–18.
- 12 Scully D, Marolla J. Riding the bull at Gilley’s: convicted rapists describe the rewards of rape. In: PB Bart, EG Moran, editors. Violence against women: the bloody footprints. Newbury Park, CA: Sage, 1993; 26–46.
- 13 Smith S, Wampler R, Jones J, Reifman A. Differences in self-report measures by adolescent sex offender risk group. Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol 2005; 49: 82–106.
- 14 Meloy JR. The nature and dynamics of sexual homicide. Aggress Violent Behav 2000; 5: 1–22.
- 15 Prentky RA, Burgess AW, Rokous F, Lee A, Hartman C, Ressler R, et al. The presumptive role of fantasy in serial sexual homicide. Am J Psychiatry 1989; 146: 887–91.
- 16 Meloy JR. The psychopathic mind: origins, dynamics and treatment. Northvale, NJ: Aronson, 1988.
- 17 MacDonald JM. Rape: controversial issues. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas, 1995.
- 18 Mosher DL, MacIan P. College men and women respond to X-rated videos intended for male or female audiences: gender and sexual scripts. J Sex Res 1994; 31: 99–113.
- 19 Williams KM, Cooper BS, Howell TM, Yuille JC, Paulhus DL. Inferring sexually deviant behavior from corresponding fantasies: the role of personality and pornography consumption. Crim Justice Behav 2009; 36: 198–222.
- 20 Briere J, Smiljanich K, Henschel D. Sexual fantasies, gender, and molestation history. Child Abuse Negl 1994; 18: 131–7.
- 21 Reich JH. Prevalence and characteristics of sadistic personality disorder in an outpatient veterans population. Psychiatry Res 1993; 48: 267–76.
- 22 Rokach A. Content analysis of sexual fantasies of males and females. J Psychol 1990; 124: 427–36.
- 23 Beauregard E, Lussier P, Proulx J. An exploration of developmental factors related to deviant sexual preferences among adult rapists. Sex Abuse 2004; 16: 151–61.
- 24 Knight RA, Sims-Knight JE. The developmental antecedents of sexual coercion against women: testing alternative hypotheses with structural equation modeling. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2003; 989: 72–85.
- 25 Whitaker DJ, Le B, Hanson RK, Baker CK, McMahon PM, Ryan G, et al. Risk factors for the perpetration of child sexual abuse: a review and meta-analysis. Child Abuse Negl 2008; 32: 529–48.
- 26 Beech A, Fisher D, Beckett R. An evaluation of the prison sex offender treatment programme. London, UK: Home Office, 1998.
- 27 Johnston L, Ward T, Hudson SM. Deviant sexual thoughts: mental control and the treatment of sexual offenders. J Sex Res 1997; 34: 121–30.
- 28
Rice ME,
Harris GT,
Quinsey VL.
A follow-up of rapists assessed in a maximum-security psychiatric facility.
J Interpers Violence
1990; 5: 435–48.
10.1177/088626090005004001 Google Scholar
- 29 Gray SR. A comparison of verbal satiation and minimal arousal conditioning to reduce deviant arousal in the laboratory. Sex Abuse 1995; 7: 143–53.
- 30 Laws DR, Marshall WL. Masturbatory reconditioning with sexual deviates: an evaluative review. Adv Behav Res Ther 1991; 13: 13–25.
- 31 Grossman LS, Martis B, Fichtner CG. Are sex offenders treatable? A research overview. Psychiatr Serv 1999; 50: 349–61.
- 32 First MD, Spitzer RL, Gibbon M, Williams JBW. Structured clinical interview for DSM-IV Axis-I disorders. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press, 1997.
- 33 First MD, Gibbon M, Spitzer RL, Williams JBW, Smith BL. Structured clinical interview for DSM-IV Axis-II disorders. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press, 1997.
- 34 Beck AT, Rush AJ, Shaw BF, Emery G. Cognitive therapy of depression. New York, NY: Guilford Press, 1979.
- 35 Hathaway SR, McKinley JC. A multiphasic personality schedule (Minnesota): construction of the schedule. J Psychol 1940; 10: 249–54.
- 36 Exner JE. The Rorschach: basic foundations and principles of interpretation. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2002.
- 37
Patton JH,
Stanford MS,
Barratt ES.
Factor structure of the Barratt impulsiveness scale.
J Clin Psychol
1995; 51: 768–74.
10.1002/1097-4679(199511)51:6<768::AID-JCLP2270510607>3.0.CO;2-1 CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
- 38 Hare RD. The Hare psychopathy checklist-revised. Toronto, Canada: Multi-Health Systems, 1991.
- 39 American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4th edn. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press, 1994.
- 40 Groth AN, Burgess W, Holmstrom LL. Rape: power, anger, and sexuality. Am J Psychiatry 1977; 134: 1239–43.
Citing Literature
