Infant Losses; Adult Searches: A Neural and Developmental Perspective on Psychopathology and Sexual Offending

In an exciting synthesis of neuroscience, developmental, and social psychology with forensic and criminal literature, this book offers a fresh perspective as to the reasons that may precipitate some individuals into violent or sexual offences. The book is written for clinicians of all modalities, although its very readable style, make it accessible to anyone with an interest in this area.

It commences with a study of the development of an infant’s brain under positive conditions, and then demonstrates how adverse circumstances for the developing child can change the structure of the developing brain. It argues that the concept of attachment is both a physical and psychological process, which can predispose a child to be vulnerable at later critical periods in its development: during the development of the sexual template, and later during puberty and adolescence.

Insecure attachments form behavioral pathways that continue to be played out in adult loving relationships, and can lead to codependent relationships, domestic violence, and sometimes into psychopathology. Vandalization of the sexual template at critical times can lead individuals into developing sexual paraphilias and may lead to sexual offending. Discussion of violence, stalking, sexual offences against adults and children, and internet pornography are discussed in depth. It argues that whereas not all children who are abused grow up to be sexual offenders, virtually all sexual and violent offenders had very adverse childhoods, and that the criminal justice system has lost sight of this link.