Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 25, 2026

An Experimental Analysis of Children's Ability to Provide a False Report about a Crime
Published on: May 3, 2016
"It's Not Something I Chose You Know": Making Sense of Pedophiles' Sexual Interest in Children and the Impact on
Nicholas James Blagden1, Ruth Mann2, Stephen Webster3
11 Nottingham Trent University, UK.
Abstract:
Sexual interest in children is one of the most strongly predictive of the known risk factors for sexual reconviction. It is an important aspect of risk assessment to identify the presence of such interest, and an important task for treatment providers to address such a sexual interest where it is present. It has been argued that understanding pedophiles' deviant sexual interest in children can enhance risk assessment, management, and treatment planning. This research study aims to explore the phenomenology of deviant sexual interest in children, the impact it has on pedophilic offenders' identities, and their views on the treatability of that interest. The study used semistructured interviews and repertory grids to make sense of participants' experiences. The results revealed three superordinate themes: "'living' with a deviant sexual interest," "relational sexual self," and "possible and feared sexual self." The analysis unpacks these themes and repertory grid analysis is used to explore a subset of participants' identities in more detail. The results reveal that there needs to be an acceptance from both client and therapist that their sexual interest in children may never go away. Through this acceptance, clients could work on enhancing sexual self-regulation, recognizing their triggers, and so managing their sexual thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Implications for treatment are also discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Anal
Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Phallic
Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Latency
The latency period is not considered...
Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Genital
Psychosexual Theory of Development
The Five Stages of Psychosexual Development
Freud's psychosexual...
Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth. This guiding role...

