Cognitions supportive of child molestation

The examination of child molesters' thoughts about themselves and other people, particularly their young victims, has been pursued irregularly over the past four decades. A summary of theory and empirical research from a number of fields (e.g., clinical psychology, social psychology, sociology of deviance) is reported in this critical review. Theoretical attempts to account for cognitions of adults who have sex with children have been sparse. Empirical efforts, on the other hand, have been more numerous and, with some exceptions, there is convergence in number of research findings. Clinical implications for professionals who work with sexual abusers of children are presented.