ABSTRACT
Paedophilic juvenile sex offenders who are attachment hungry rely heavily on the pretend mode of functioning, while the psychopathic offenders rely more heavily on an equivalence mode. Psychic survival and a sense of self can only be achieved by a limited range of outcomes. One of these involves detachment, identifying with the frightening object and becoming grandiose and, in the case of the psychopathic offender, predatory. Aaron was seventeen years old at the time of his assessment for being charged with sexual offences. The overall picture emerging from Aaron’s assessment is that of an individual with high levels of psychopathic traits, little interest in relationship and attachment, and an approach to people based on a view of them as objects for manipulation. High scorers such as Paulie tend also to be shy and retiring. Generally, they are seen to have high levels of distress, but in their favour they are often amenable to psychotherapy or counselling.
