Cofactors in the commission of violent crimes: a self-psychology examination.

ABSTRACT

In many violent crimes a cofactor seems to play a part in the emergence of the violent act. The individuals involved in these cases appear to suffer from significant self pathology. The violent behaviors represent disintegration products of the self designed to maintain cohesion in the face of self-fragmentation. Without the presence of selfobjects, the violent act is less likely to occur. Thus, self psychology provides valuable insights into the commission of certain violent crimes.