THE EXTREME REGRESSIVE REACTION OF A PSYCHOPATH

Recent work on the phenomena associated with the concept of psychopath y has made more confident the clinician's identification of the syndro me, and enables a better examination of certain behaviors related to t he diagnosis. One of these is an extreme form of regressive reaction o ften associated with adaptation to a new restrictive environment. In d ynamic terms this can be seen as a primitive attempt to seize control of the maternal universe, perhaps re-enacting a successful strategy of the infant past. The case of a convicted offender with an extensive p sychiatric history is described, and consideration is given to the man agement of such a ease in the institutional environment.