F THE welter of contradictory theory concerning the aggressively 0 antisocial psychopath, certain assumptions regarding his hostility and guilt are readily accepted by most, if not all, authorities on this subject. It is the purpose of this study to test several of these basic assumptions under controlled experimental conditions. HYPOTHESESThe following hypotheses, derived from assumptions currently accepted either in part or in toto in clinical practice, are to be tested: 1) Psychopaths are more extrapunitively hostile than clinically normal subjects. The psychopath's emotional lability and his inability to delay impulses are often reflected in antisocial behavior. 2) Psychopaths can sustain more hostility over a given period of time with less attendant guilt than can normals. 3) Psychopaths are characterized by aggressiveness not only in behavior, but in fantasy. Their fantasy life will reveal more hostility than is found in normal subject^.^ 4) Psychopaths will inhibit aggressive behavior when faced with the external reminders of societal authority. Under conditions where their behavior is subject to critical evaluation by others, they will diminish aggressivity to the point where their behavior is seemingly identical with that of normals. It has long been noted that psychopaths are well aware of society's demands, but have not incorporated societal values into their personality structure (4). SU BJ ECTSThe experimental group consisted of seventeen psychopaths who were carefully selected from a correctional institution for boys. The psychiatrist a t the school made the diagnosis of psychopathic personality in only 25 *
Interaction, Family Environment, Educational Goals and Childrearing Practices in Families with a Child Suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Objective: The study focuses on family interactions and the upbringing environment of children and adolescents with obsessive- compulsive disorder (OCD). The degree to which the family is involved in the child’s OCD symptoms, the frequency and forms of its aggressive behavior toward family members, and features of family functioning were assessed. Patients and Methods: 23 boys and 19 girls with a mean age of 12.7 years suffering from OCD according to ICD-10 and DSM-IV criteria, as well as 40 mothers and 35 fathers participated in the study. Assessments were carried out by means of structured interviews and questionnaires. Results: 85% of the parents reported that members of the family were involved in the OCD symptoms of the affected child. Most of the children and adolescents were verbally or physically aggressive, especially toward their mother. The general family environment was not disturbed except regarding interactions specifically related to the child’s OCD symptoms. Parents and children did not report childrearing practices significantly different from the standardized values of the family inventory applied. The educational goals reported indicated a rather low educational engagement of the fathers, but again there were essentially no substantial differences compared to standardized values. Conclusions: Our study does not support reports in the literature which point to specific, undesirable educational practices of the parents of children with OCD. There were no features of upbringing indicating strict religiosity, extreme ambition, prevention of the development of the child’s autonomy, conflict avoidance or tendency to isolation on the part of the family. The family members’ significant involvement in the child’s OCD symptoms and the vehemence with which the child demands this involvement must be taken into account in the therapy of childhood OCD.
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