THE STRUCTURE OF EMOTION IN PERSONALITY DISORDERED AGGRESSORS - A MOTIVATIONAL ANALYSIS

This article considers formulations of aggression in personality disor dered offenders. Common themes are drawn from case histories and it is argued that a phenomenological theory of sexual aggression and aggres sors is of value in the understanding and treatment of some personalit y disordered offenders. The article suggests that this may be done by focusing on the experience of motivation. Apter (1989) has proposed a theory of motivation that is described as both phenomenological and st ructural. The theory, known as the theory of psychological reversals, is outlined and similarities with Millon's (1981; 1990) work are noted . The theory hypothesizes several pairs of motivational states between which a person may move. Various kinds of psychopathology emerge from applying this theory to psychopathic (Hare, 1980; Cleckley, 1976; Bla ckburn, 1986 and 1988) and controlled (Blackburn, 1986; Howells, 1983) offender types and these are illustrated with clinical examples. It i s proposed that the theory may be used to develop a framework for trea tment and evaluation of risk.