The Causes of Sex Offending

Abstract

Researchers, clinicians, theorists, and policy makers have embraced a variety of etiological explanations in their attempts to understand sexually deviant behaviors. Here, the major etiological models of sex offending are described and analyzed. This discussion includes both single faceted theories - biological, cognitive, behavioral, social learning, personality, and evolutionary theories - as well as multi-faceted or integrated theories - Finkelhor's Precondition Model, Marshall and Barbaree's Integrated Theory, Hall and Hirschman's Quadripartite Model, Malamuth's Confluence Model, and Ward and Siegert's Pathways Model. In addition, a new integrative theory of sexual deviance is introduced. The Multi-Model Self-Regulation Theory includes components of developmental, behavioral, cognitive, and personality research. Relevant empirical findings are presented, and fictional case studies are also provided to demonstrate how this theory would be applied in the explanation of sexual deviance. This work concludes with a discussion of empirical support for the Multi-Modal Self-Regulation Theory as well as future directions for research, prevention, and treatment.In Appendix B, an empirical study of the core components of the Multi-Modal Self-Regulation Theory is included. In this study, dysregulation is examined as a key variable in the development of paraphilias, antisocial behaviors, and disordered substance use in a sample of 95 sex offending men. Results from a causal path analysis demonstrate that dysregulation, as defined by difficulties with emotional regulation, significantly and causally predict both paraphilic and antisocial behaviors. Implications for cognitive and personality variables are also discussed.