A re-evaluation of the psychodynamics of firesetting.

Kaufman, Irving; Heims, Lora W.; Reiser, David E.

doi:10.1111/j.1939-0025.1961.tb02113.x

Cited by 57 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…In the above mentioned study by Nurcombe, fathers of six of the 21 young firesetters were frequently or permanently separated from the family. Kaufman et al [18] who studied 30 boys who had set fires, hypothesized that a boy may set fires in order to reunite with both of his parents, but his firesetting is more likely an attempt to bring back his departed father.…”

Section: Cruelty To Animals and Firesettingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aggression against cats, dogs and people

Felthous¹

1980

Child Psych Hum Dev

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In order to investigate the nature of animal cruelty in childhood two groups of male psychiatric patients were compared: an Animal Cruelty Group and an Assaultive Group. Most in both groups showed other signs of aggression dyscontrol in childhood. Most in both groups were subjected to parental brutality. Emotional or physical unavailability of a father figure may be a common etiologic factor in childhood cruelty to animals. This may compare with the absence of a father figure noted by several investigators in boys who set fires.

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Section: Cruelty To Animals and Firesettingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aggression against cats, dogs and people

Felthous¹

1980

Child Psych Hum Dev

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“…Many psychoanalysts hypothesize that firesetting originates from either a urethral or oral fixated sexual drive. For example, firesetting has often been hypothesized to result from an inherent association between sexual urges and urination such that (i) youngsters are believed to experience enuresis as a result of attempting to extinguish firesetting occurring in dreams, and (ii) firesetting is believed to symbolize repressed sexual urges (Barnett & Spitzer, 1994;Gaynor & Hatcher, 1987;Glancy, Spiers, Pitt, & Dvoskin, 2003;Kaufman, Heims, & Reiser, 1961;Vreelan & Levin, 1980). However, although psychoanalytical theory is an infamous branch of psychology, none of the underlying tenets have been convincingly validated (poor empirical adequacy), and, as noted earlier, sexual desires are implicated in very few firesetting cases (see Barnett & Spitzer, 1994).…”

Section: Psychoanalytical Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Firesetting: Psychopathology, theory and treatment

Gannon

Pina

2010

Aggression and Violent Behavior

104

136

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In this paper, we comprehensively review the characteristics of adult firesetters, and the etiological features of firesetting. In particular, we pay attention to contemporary research available regarding the core traits and psychopathological features required to understand firesetters, and the classificatory systems and etiological theories developed to understand firesetting. This evaluation of contemporary research suggests that clinical knowledge and practice relating to firesetting is extremely underdeveloped relative to other areas of forensicclinical psychology. We conclude that there are very few etiological theories available to guide consulting clinicians in this area, and little information available specifying the exact criminogenic needs associated with firesetters, or how these needs compare to other offender groups. The significant lack of contemporary treatment programs designed to target firesetting behavior is also noted. We conclude by highlighting core areas for future research and treatment progression. Latest available statistics show that around 323,900 intentionally set fires were recorded by US fire departments in 2005 and these fires caused 490 deaths, 9,100 injuries, and created over 1 billion dollars of costs relating to property destruction (Hall, 2007). Given the enormous societal costs associated with intentional firesetting, it is curious that current psychological understanding of this act is relatively underdeveloped, especially when one compares the extant firesetting literature to that relating to violence or sexual offending. The only existing reviews on firesetting behavior have tended either to focus solely upon child and juvenile firesetters (Kolko, 1985), or have approached firesetting from a psychiatric perspective (Blumberg, 1981;Geller, 1987;Geller, 2008;Ritchie & Huff, 1999). Thus, there is a strong need for a psychologically-informed review on firesetting for consulting clinicians and forensic psychologists who work with adult firesetters.Our paper does not intend to provide an exhaustive review of firesetting since to do so would entail numerous historical pieces. However, we do aim to provide a comprehensive and contemporary overview of the diagnostic criteria, etiological features, theory, and treatment relevant to adult firesetting. Our main aim is to provide clinical practitioners with a comprehensive psychological understanding of adult firesetters, paying particular attention to clinical and etiological features, firesetting behavioral specificity, issues of diagnostic criteria relevant to pathological firesetting, and current treatment issues. Based upon this review, we then make some suggestions for future empirical research and evidence-based practice relevant to firesetting. In order to increase the clarity and focus of this review, and unless otherwise stated, we will focus our discussions on firesetting committed by individuals over the age of 18. We will, however, refer to research with juveniles and children where we feel it is appropriate to ...

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“…Various of the triad behaviors have been described as manifestations of atypical ego development or "ego weakness" in latency children [4,5]. Observers have interpreted the triad behaviors, particularly fire setting, as the child's attempt to externalize and gain some control over internal turbulence and disorganization.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enuresis, fire setting, and animal cruelty: A useful danger signal in predicting vulnerability of adolescent males to assaultive behavior

Wax

Haddox

1974

Child Psych Hum Dev

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Current shifts in corrective and rehabilitation planning result in an emphasis upon primary prevention efforts involving early identification and intervention with vulnerable children who run high risk of serious adolescent and adult delinquency. A variety of observers have argued that the presence of a combination of observable problem behaviors documented in childhood is related to ego weakness and may have value as a predictor of explosive acting out in later life. The present study examines a number of institutionalized adolescent male delinquents whose recent history contains reference to a triad of behaviors (persistent enuresis, fire setting, and animal cruelty). Not only does the predictive validity of the triad appear to be supported, but the cases cited rank highest among overtly dangerous assaultive youth seen in the Southern California Youth Authority during the 12-month observation period. Presented is a summary of case history data supporting the hypothesis that the triad is a useful clinical tool in the prediction of violent behavior.Various social sciences have long struggled with issues concerning behavioral prediction. The applied behavioral sciences, particularly in the areas of correction and allied rehabilitation, have often seized upon concepts such as the psychological test profile, body type

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A re-evaluation of the psychodynamics of firesetting.

Cited by 57 publications

References 3 publications

Aggression against cats, dogs and people

Aggression against cats, dogs and people

Firesetting: Psychopathology, theory and treatment

Enuresis, fire setting, and animal cruelty: A useful danger signal in predicting vulnerability of adolescent males to assaultive behavior

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