I I I I [ [

THE MEASURMENT OF THE

COGNITIVE DISTORTIONS OF
CHILD MOLESTERS

Gene G, Abel, MD
Georgia State University &
Behavioral Medicine Institute, Atlanta

David K.Gore, Phl)

Private Practice, New Orleans

C.L. Holland, PhD

Georgia State University, Atlanta

Nancy Camp, MS
Behavioral Medicine, Atlanta

Judith V. Becker, PhD, & Jerry Rathner, BA

Columbia University, New York City

Annals of Sex Research

 ABSTRACT
Two h u n d r e d a n d forty child molester paraphiliacs, 48 non-child molesting
paraphiliacs a n d 86 non-paraphiliacs were administered a 29 item Likert scale
of s t a t e m e n t s d e s i g n e d to determine: 1) if cognitive distortions c o n c e r n i n g
child molestation exist a m o n g child molesters a n d (2) if child molesters c a n be
d i s c r i m i n a t e d f r o m n o n - c h i l d m o l e s t e r s by a s s e s s i n g t h e i r cognitive
distortions. Factor analysis yielded six factors covering t h e general area of
child m o l e s t a t i o n being h a r m f u l to t h e child. The factors were reliable a n d
successfully s e p a r a t e d child m o l e s t e r s from n o n - c h i l d m o l e s t e r s . R e s u l t s
confirmed t h a t child m o l e s t e r s n o t only vary from n o n - c h i l d m o l e s t e r s by
their behavior with children, b u t also by their cognitions or beliefs about t h e
consequence of their child molestation behavior on the child.

Abel, G.G., Gore, D.K., Holland, CI,., Camp, N., Becker, J.V., & Rathner, J. (1989).
The measurement of the cognitive distortions of child molesters. Anna/s of Sex
Research, 2, 135--153.
 Cognitive Distortions of Child Molesters 137

Child sexual abuse is a major public health problem. Since 1976, reported
incidents of a b u s e have risen dramatically from 7,500 e s t i m a t e d reports
(Finkelhor, 1984) to 123,000 officially reported cases in 1985 (Russell & Mohr-
Trainor, 1984). The actual incidence is unknown, although it is estimated that
5% to 20% of those u n d e r 18 years of age have experienced u n w a n t e d sexual
behavior from an adult (Bagley, 1986).
Reduction of any public health problem d e m a n d s control of the pathologic
agent, in this case, stopping child molesters from perpetrating their crimes. To
accomplish this goal, we need to u n d e r s t a n d how these individuals vary from
non-child molesters.
Early theories of the etiology of child molestation posited that a single factor
could be identified as the cause (cf. Araji and Finkelhor, 1983). Newer empirical
studies reveal t h a t a n etiological model of child molestation m u s t consider
multiple factors of causation (Abel & Rouleau, 1989; Araji & Finkelhor, 1983;
Quinsey, 1977; Trapper & Barrett, 19861.
Social learning theory (SLT) as espoused by B a n d u r a (1969, 1973, 19771,
a p p e a r s to best exemplify a f r a m e w o r k for u n d e r s t a n d i n g how child
molestation develops (Abel and Rouleau, 1989). The interaction of antecedents,
consequences, and reinforcement of child molestation behaviors combine to
lead the offender to pair m e m o r i e s and fantasies with m a s t u r b a t i o n and
orgasm (Abel & B l a n c h a r d , 1974). The r e s u l t a n t pairing m a i n t a i n s and
strengthens the child molesters' involvement with children; involvement that
is also p e r p e t u a t e d by the offenders' distorted cognitions regarding child
molestation and its consequences.
The term, 'cognitive', as u s e d here, refers to a n i n d i v i d u a r s internal
processes, including the justifications, perceptions and j u d g e m e n t s used by the
sex offender to rationalize his child molestation behavior. Clinically, a child
molester's cognitive distortions a p p e a r to allow the offender to justify his
ongoing sexual a b u s e of children without the anxiety, guilt and loss of self
esteem t h a t would usually result from an individual committing behaviors
contrary to the norms of his society.
Abel and colleagues have examined the etiology of cognitive distortions in
child m o l e s t a t i o n (Abel, Becker, & C u n n i n g h a m - R a t h n e r , 1984; Abel,
Blanchard, & Becker, 1977; Abel, Mittelman, & Becker, 1985; Becker & Abel,
1985). A n u m b e r of t r e a t m e n t p r o g r a m s have identified normalizing sex
offenders cognitive distortions as an important element of treatment. (Abel,
Becker, Cunningham-Rathner, Rouleau, Kaplan, & Reich, 1984; Groth, 1983;
Knopp, 1982; Schwartz & Masters, 1983; Travin, Bluestone, Coleman, Cullen, &
Melella, 1986). Experimental studies have shown that cognitive distortion is
an important factor in the etiology and m a i n t e n a n c e of juvenile delinquency
(Gibbs, 1989; Sykes & Matza, 1957). Some clinicians claim that cognitive
138 Abe], Gore, et al.

distortions, or irrational beliefs, are responsible for nearly all emotional

disorders (Ellis, 1970). Yochelson and Samenow (1977) reported that changing
distorted thinking is the only way to prevent recidivism in career criminals,
including chronic sex offenders.

Bandura' s Social Learning Theory

Some behaviors are u n d e r the control of external stimuli and are subject to
the rules of classical conditioning, while others respond to the rules of operant
conditioning or external reinforcement. Social Learning Theory (SLT) states
that, although operant and classical conditioning regulates m u c h of h u m a n
behavior, the most important system of regulatory influence operates t h r o u g h
intemal, cognitive mediational processes (Bandura, 1969, 1977; Wilson, 1978).
SLT. e m p h a s i z e s t h a t people are reciprocally deterministic: t h e social
environment acts on the individual and the individual influences the social
environment. SLT states that performance of a learned pattern of behavior
d e p e n d s on (I) the identity of the original model; (2) the c o n s e q u e n c e s
experienced by the original model (Is he or she rewarded or punished?); and (3)
the consequences experienced by a person w h e n he or she attempts to emulate
the behavior (Zigler, Lamb, & Child, 1982).
According to SLT, issues of reward and p u n i s h m e n t are more important for
m a i n t e n a n c e t h a n acquisition of behaviors. B a n d u r a indicates t h a t m a n y
behaviors do not require external reinforcement. Vicarious reinforcement, for
example, is learning t h r o u g h observing w h a t h a p p e n s to other people
performing various acts.
B a n d u r a also asserts that anticipated consequences are more of a behavioral
predictor t h a n actual consequences. Because belief about a consequence often
differs from actual experience, it is the subjective anticipated consequence t h a t
guide individual's behavior. If perceived contingencies of reinforcement differ
from actual contingencies, t h e n one's behavior is weakly guided by the actual
consequences of the behavior (Bandura, 1973, p. 50).
Cognitive distortions are the p r o d u c t s of conflict b e t w e e n e x t e r n a l
reinforcements and internal self-condemnation, Child molesters frequently
maintain secrecy due to fear of discovery, but that same secrecy also prevents
the m o l e s t e r from being confronted with negative feedback a b o u t t h e i r
behavior from the child they harm, the laws against child molestation, and the
negative attitudes of those around t h e m regarding their child molestation.
Nedoma, Mellan, and Pondelickova (1981) studied a couple of cognitive
distortions in the only experimental investigation of child molesters' cognitive
distortions to date. Abel, Becker, & C u n n i n g h a m - R a t h n e r (1984) hypothesize
that as a child molester becomes aware of the discrepancy between his sexual
 Cognitive Distortions of Child Molesters 139

behavior with children a n d t h e social m o r e s of his culture, he begins to a d j u s t

by developing a n idiosyncratic belief s y s t e m of cognitions. The offender's
c o n t i n u e d sexual involvement with children is s u p p o r t e d by the combination of
two factors. First, t h e r e are often no negative c o n s e q u e n c e s for s e x u a l
involvement with children, s u c h as arrest or discovery by peers, family, or
employers. Second, the offender never witnesses the negative effects suffered by
their victims, since he leaves t h e site of sexual involvement with the child.
Abel, et al. (Abel, Becker, & C u n n i n g h a m - R a t h n e r , 1984; Abel, Rouleau, &
C u n n i n g h a m - R a t h n e r , 1986) h a v e c a t a l o g e d s o m e c o m m o n c o g n i t i v e
d i s t o r t i o n s of p a r a p h i l i a c child m o l e s t e r s . Abel a n d B e c k e r have also
developed a questionnaire assessing the acceptance or rejection of 29 c o m m o n
cognitive distortions of child m o l e s t e r s (see Appendix). The c o n t e n t of t h i s
questionnaire, t h e Cognition Scale (Abel, Becker, et al., 1984), is based on their
clinical experience evaluating h u n d r e d s of child molesters.

METHOD
Research Participants
Three g r o u p s of m a l e v o l u n t e e r s were u s e d , two clinical g r o u p s (child
molesters a n d non-child molesting sex offenders) a n d one control group of non-
paraphiliacs.
The clinical groups. Both g r o u p s were c o m p o s e d of v o l u n t e e r s from a
federally f u n d e d t r e a t m e n t / r e s e a r c h project. Data acquisition from paraphili-
acs took place from 1977 to 1985 in Memphis, Tennessee and in New York City.
P a r t i c i p a n t s were r e c r u i t e d via t h e media, from d i s c u s s i o n s with m e n t a l
health professionals, a n d t h r o u g h criminal justice professionals. All volunteers
signed a consent form acknowledging that participation was voluntary a n d their
data would be confidential. Confidentiality p r o c e d u r e s included assigning each
participant an I.D. n u m b e r (the code linking ID n u m b e r to the participant's n a m e
was held outside t h e United States), not eliciting discriminatory details of the
p a r t i c i p a n t ' s s e x u a l offenses, a n d o b t a i n i n g a certificate of confidentiality
(Federal Register, 1975) which e n s u r e d t h a t no officiating body could compel the
experimenters to reveal t h e participants' identity.
Each participant u n d e r w e n t 1) a s t r u c t u r e d clinical interview lasting from
one to three hours, 2) two to three h o u r s of psychophysiological a s s e s s m e n t to
determine their sexual arousal preferences, and 3) three to four h o u r s of various
paper and pencil tests.
One h u n d r e d m e n returned for a second assessment session 1 to 3 weeks later,
without any intervening treatment. These participants answered the Cognition
140 Abel, Gore, et al.

Scale a second time and constituted a Test-Retest Group. The paraphiliacs were
placed in one of two clinical groups.

1. Child Molesters (n=240). Inclusion criteria for this group were adults who
admitted to sexual behavior with a child u n d e r 18 years of age, 5 or more years
younger t h a n himself, or repetitive fantasies of sexual behavior with a child
aged 5 or more years younger t h a n himself; fantasies that were erotic to t h e m
and they wished to control. The child molesters' victims were categorized on 3
dimensions: 1) incest versus non-incest - where the participant was related to
the victim or consistently serving the role of father over time, 2) age of victim -
u n d e r 14 or between 14 and 17, and 3) gender of the child (male or female). This
resulted in 8 different potential categories of child molesters.
2. Non-Child Molesting Paraphilic Group (n=48). These m e n denied a n y
urges, fantasies, behavior or criminal records involving any form of child
molestation. They did however admit to having one or more paraphilias, in-
cluding rape of adults, frottage, exhibitionism, public masturbation, fetishism,
bestiality, obscene phone calling, a n d / o r voyeurism.
The Control Group (N=86). These participants were solicited to be part of the
study by one of the authors (D.G.). Forty of these controls were recruited from
Chicago, a n d 46 from Atlanta. Their data was collected from May 1986 to
September 1987. The Chicago participants were a diverse sample of personnel
from a large u r b a n medical center representing a variety of occupations. The
Atlanta controls were recruited from a population of u n d e r g r a d u a t e s t u d e n t s
taking introductory psychology courses, selecting this s t u d y from a variety of
graduate psychology s t u d e n t studies requesting u n d e r g r a d u a t e participation.
The control group completed the Cognition Package, including a Demographic
Questionnaire a n d the Cognition Scale, after signing a n informed c o n s e n t
form.

Materials & Procedures

The Cognition Scale is composed of 29 items designed to assess possible
cognitive distortions of child molesters. (Abel, Becker, et al., 1984). Items are
scored on a 5-point Likert scale, with all items scored in the same direction, i.e.,
the lower the score the more deviant the cognition. Items were "transparent"; no
attempts were made to disguise the purpose of the instrument.

Data Analysis Procedures. AU data a n a l y s e s were completed on a Digital

Equipment Corporation 11/780-5 VAX/VMS using the Statistical Package for
the Social Sciences, Tenth Edition (SPSS-X).
 Cognitive Distortions of Child Molesters 141

Reliability
Inter-item Consistency. A factor analysis was performed on the scores of t h e
child m o l e s t e r s , yielding six factors. The items c o m p r i s i n g each of t h e six
factors were s u m m e d , r e s u l t i n g in six factor-based scales (FBS). C r o n b a c h
a l p h a s were c a l c u l a t e d for each FBS a n d s t a n d a r d i z e d item a l p h a s were
calculated for each of the items.
T e s t - R e t e s t Reliability. Test-retest reliability was calculated u s i n g P e a r s o n
Product m o m e n t correlations. Correlations were performed for each of t h e six
FBS a n d for the total scale score.

Validity
T h r e e m e t h o d s of a s s e s s i n g validity were e m p l o y e d : k n o w n g r o u p s ,
calculation of severity indices, a n d split halves.
The k n o w n g r o u p s m e t h o d utilized a oneway analysis of variance (ANOVA's)
of t h e six FBS a n d two d e m o g r a p h i c factors (age a n d education) between the
Child Molester Group, the Paraphflic Group, and the Control Group. Tukey's
procedure was u s e d to c o m p a r e the differences between pairs of group m e a n s ,
with a significance level of p < .05.
The c a l c u l a t i o n of severity i n d i c e s (SI) were derived from 4 d e p e n d e n t
variables sensitive to different a s p e c t s of child molesting behaviors. They are:

S I I - Attempts and Completions: The n u m b e r of a t t e m p t e d a n d

completed sexual acts reported by t h e child molesters were s u m m e d
a c r o s s all 8 c h i l d m o l e s t i n g t a r g e t c a t e g o r i e s ( m a l e / f e m a l e ;
i n c e s t / n o n - i n c e s t ; child/adolescent).

SI 2 Duration: T h e age at w h i c h t h e m o l e s t e r b e g a n offending was

subtracted from his age at the time of the assessment.

SI 3 Number of D ~ e r e n t Categories of Child Molestin~ The s u m of the

n u m b e r of t h e 8 categories of child m o l e s t a t i o n b e h a v i o r s t h e
participant admitted to performing.

S I 4 Aggression Employed: The m e a n s were c o m p u t e d for each

aggression rating of the 8 categories of molesting behaviors, as j u d g e d
by t h e interviewer. The r a t i n g w a s a categorical n u m b e r (l=no
aggression, 2=verbal coercion, 3 = p h y s i c a l coercion, 4=excessive
physical coercion) a n d reflected the greatest a m o u n t of aggression the
participant h a d ever u s e d against a n y victim in that category.

The participants' six factor-based scales were regressed onto the four SI's in 4
142 Abel, Gore, et al.

s e p a r a t e multiple regression equations. Their demographic data were also

regressed onto the 4 SI in 4 more multiple regression equations. Additionally,
both the demographic data and the FBS were entered in the same equations but
in two separate steps. The demographic data were regressed onto the 4 SI in 4
separate multiple regression equations. The variance a c c o u n t e d for by the
demographic data was held constant, and the FBS were t h e n regressed onto the
4 SI to determine if the FBS accounted for any additional variance in the 4 SI.
In sum, three multiple regression equations were r u n for each of the four SI
resulting in 12 regression equations using the child molestation group.
The child molester group was t h e n r a n d o m l y split into halves (Half A and
Half B) for cross-validation. Four regression equations were generated from the
data for Half A, using demographic data as independent variables and the four
SI as dependent variables. The Beta values yielded were t h e n applied to data
from Half B giving new R & R 2 values. This cross-validation process was
repeated while substituting the FBS as the independent variables.
A last cross-validation involved two separate steps: first demographic data
were regressed onto the SI, a n d these effects held constant. The FBS were t h e n
regressed onto the SI to determine if the FBS a c c o u n t e d for any additional
variance of the SI.
A total of 24 regressions were r u n using d a t a from child molesters; 12
regression analyses were computed for the entire group, and 12 were computed
for HalfA and applied to Half B.
Clinical Relevance o f the FBS. The child molesting group was split t h r e e
different w a y s into t h r e e divisions to a s s e s s t h e utility of b r e a k i n g the
Cognition Scale into FBS's. An ANOVA w a s performed on e a c h of t h e 3
divisions: 1) sex of target, male or female or both (2) age of target, child or
adolescent or both and (3) incest, nonincest or both.
The results of these ANOVA'S, coupled with the finding of the relationship
between the factor-based scales and the duration of child molesting behavior,
led to a n additional series of analyses. The effect of d u r a t i o n of molesting
behavior was held constant, a n d the significance of the three different target
preferences were examined through analysis of variance.

RF_ ULT$
The findings support the conclusion that the Cognition Scale h a s acceptable
interitem consistency. Table i displays r e s u l t s from the factor analysis
performed on scores of subjects admitting to child molesting. Items 28 & 29
were excluded as they assessed attitudes towards t r e a t m e n t for child molesters
and not child molestation as a n act. Item 19 was excluded as it failed to load on
any of the factors above the 0.30 level.
 Cognitive Distortions of Child Molesters , 143

Table 1
Cognition Scale: Rotated Factor Matrix for Child Molesters

Item Factor Factor Factor Factor Factor Factor

Number 1 2 3 4 5 6

A17 .63 .41

A06 .60
A24 .56 .37
A23 .49 .43
A25 .47 .35
A26 .40 .35

A22 .41 .58

A20 .56
Ao2 .53
A21 .37 .49 .32
A08 .47
Ali .46 .43
A09 .36 .42 .39

A15 .32 .78

A16 .55
A03 .38 .41 .35

A01 .66
A04 .31 .33 .30 .49
A05 .43 .45
A18 .30 .44 .40
A10 .33 .33 .33 .41

AI3 .70
A27 .70

A07 .37 .45 .50

AI2 .33 .49
AI4 .37 .37
.i i

Note: Only loadingsgreaterthan .30 are reported.

144 Abel, Gore, et al.

Table 2
Eigenvalues and Percentage o f Variance
A c c o u n t e d for by the 6 Factor-Based Scales

Eigenvalue Percentage Cumulative

of Variance Percentage
of Variance

Factor 1 10.27 35.4 35.4

Factor 2 1.19 4.1 39.5
Factor 3 .91 3.1 42.7
Factor 4 .76 2.6 45.3
Factor 5 .72 2.5 47.8
Factor 6 .52 1.8 49.6

Table 2 p r e s e n t s the eigenvalues of the 6 factors and the percentage of

variance accounted for by each factor.
Factor 1 a c c o u n t s for the greatest percentage of variance (35.4%) while
Factors 2 through 6 provided less t h a n 5% of the variance each. All six factors
was responsible for 49.6% of the variance. Results indicate t h a t the Cognitive
Distortion Scale can be used as a single factor scale.
The resultant 6 factor base scores were labelled FBS 1, 'Child-adult sex helps
the child'; FBS 2, 'Children initiate child-adult sex for specific reasons'; FBS 3,

Table 3
Reliabilities for t h e 6 Factor-Based S c a l e s Derived from t h e Factor Analysis

Coefficient Test-Retest
Alpha Correlation

Factor 1 .84 .72

Factor 2 .78 .73
Factor 3 .72 .77
Factor 4 .80 .69
Factor 5 .71 .64
Factor 6 .59 .73
Overall Scale Score --- .76
i

Note: n for initial Cognition Scale = 240: n for retest of Cognition Scale = 100.
 Cognitive Distortions of Child Molesters 145

'Adults initiate c h i l d - a d u l t sex for specific reasons'; FBS 4, 'The child's

behavior shows their desire for child-adult sex'; FBS 5, 'Adults c a n predict w h e n
child-adult sex will d m n a g e the child in the future'; a n d FBS 6, 'Child-adult sex
is or will be acceptable in society'. The items were assigned to factors with their
highest Ioadings for f u r t h e r analysis.
Table 3 shows t h e Cronbach coefficient alphas for each of their factor based
scales. The Cronbach a/phas ranged from .59 to .82. Each factor-based scale h a s
coefficient alphas above .70 except Factor 6 (a=.59). The s u b s c a l e s of t h e
Cognition Scale t h u s have acceptable internal consistency.
T e s t / r e t e s t reliability w a s e x a m i n e d by u s i n g P e a r s o n p r o d u c t m o m e n t
correlations. Table 3 displays t h e r e s u l t s for e a c h of t h e six factors. All
correlations are in a positive direction ranging from .64 to .77 for the 6 FBS's
a n d .76 for the entire Cognition Scale, which is an acceptable level of t e s t / r e t e s t
reliability.
The Cognition Scale's ability to discriminate between k n o w n child molesters
a n d t h e general p o p u l a t i o n w a s examined by a Oneway Analysis of Variance
(ANOVA) using Tukey's procedure to compare pairs of group m e a n s , a n d using
t h e 3 g r o u p s ' scores on t h e 6 FBS a n d 2 d e m o g r a p h i c variables; age a n d
education.
The child molester group h a d a m e a n age of 33.9 a n d educational level of
grade 12 whereas the non-child molesting, paraphiliac group h a d a m e a n age of
31.0 a n d a m e a n educational level 1 year college (Table 4). The control group h a d
a m e a n age of 33.2 years a n d a m e a n educational level of I year college.

Table 4
Age and Education of Participants Answering
The Cognitive Distortion Scale

Target Group Number % of Total Mean Age in Mean Education

Years (SD) Level {SD)

Child Molesters 240 64.2 33.9 {12.5) 3.9 (1.6)

Paraphflics 48 12.8 31.0 (i 1.4) 3.3 (1.3)

Controls 86 23.0 33.2 (13.3) 3.1 (1.1)

tl i i i t

Note: l=completed graduate school; 2=completed college: 3=completed one year

college; 4=completed 12th grade; 5=completed 10th grade: 6=completed 9th
grade; 7=completed less than 9th grade.
146 Abel, Gore, et at

The child molesters scored significantly more deviantly t h a n t h e controls on

each of t h e 6 FBS of t h e Cognitive Distortion Scale. The non-child molester,
paraphiliacs scored significantly lower t h a n t h e controls on Factors 1 a n d 3.
None of t h e F a c t o r s significantly d i s c r i m i n a t e d t h e p a r a p h i l i a c s from t h e
child m o l e s t e r s . C o n t r o l l i n g for e d u c a t i o n a l level did n o t significantly
diminish t h e ability of t h e 6 FBS to discriminate between child m o l e s t e r s a n d
controls (p < .005).
The scales' sensitivity to 4 m e a s u r e s of m o l e s t i n g i n t e n s i t y ( d u r a t i o n of
molesting; n u m b e r of victim t y p e s / d i f f e r e n t categories of child molestation;
aggression e m p l o y e d a n d n u m b e r of a t t e m p t s ) w a s t e s t e d by p e r f o r m i n g
multiple regression (adjusted a n d non-adjusted) with t h e molesting intensity as
t h e d e p e n d e n t variable, a n d t h e Cognition Scale (6 Factors); 6 d e m o g r a p h i c
variables (education, religious type, income, religiousity, marital s t a t u s , a n d
age) or b o t h as i n d e p e n d e n t variables u s i n g t h e entire s a m p l e of child
molesters. The a m o u n t of variance a c c o u n t e d for by t h e F a c t o r a n d t h e
demographic variables ranged from 10% (number of acts) to 39% (duration).
Split half r e g r e s s i o n e q u a t i o n s u s i n g one r a n d o m l y selected h a l f of t h e
s a m p l e (Half A) (N=120) were performed on each of t h e d e p e n d e n t variables
(molesting intensity). The Cognition Scale scores of child molesters were m o s t
sensitive to d u r a t i o n of child molester acts, accounting for 24% of t h e variance
in t h e unselected Half. The Cognition Scale scores significantly a c c o u n t e d for
11% of the variance in n u m b e r of different categories of molesting behaviors
exhibited by cases in Half B. In s u m m a r y , the Cognition Scale scores of child
m o l e s t e r s were sensitive to d u r a t i o n of m o l e s t i n g a n d n u m b e r of different
categories of child molestation, b u t n o t to n u m b e r of a t t e m p t s or a m o u n t of
aggression employed.

DISCUSSION
In brief, one FBS (Factor Score I) w a s s t a t i s t i c a l l y s i g n i f i c a n t in
discriminating child m o l e s t e r s from t h e general population; a l t h o u g h all 6
FBS's were reliable a n d valid. The FBS were n o t significantly related to t h e
n u m b e r s of a t t e m p t s of child molestation acts, n o r to aggression employed, b u t
were significantly related to d u r a t i o n of m o l e s t a t i o n a n d different categories of
m o l e s t a t i o n . The Cognitive Distortion Scale differentiated child m o l e s t e r s
from non-child m o l e s t e r s in a gross category b u t did n o t separate on a finer
dimension. The Cognitive Distortion Scale's strong relationship with d u r a t i o n
of child molestation behaviors s u p p o r t s the p o s t u l a t e t h a t cognitive distortions
t e n d to i n c r e a s e as child m o l e s t a t i o n b e h a v i o r s c o n t i n u e . The Cognitive
Distortion Scale's strong correlation to t h e total n u m b e r of different categories
of child m o l e s t a t i o n i n d i c a t e s t h a t t h e latter is a m o r e severe type of child
 Cognitive Distortions of Child Molesters 147

molestation. Identical results have been found in predicting recidivism of child

m o l e s t e r s after c o m p l e t i n g t r e a t m e n t , n a m e l y t h a t t h e h i g h e s t recidivism
o c c u r s in child m o l e s t e r s w h o have multiple categories of child m o l e s t a t i o n
behaviors (Abel, Mittelman, Becker, Rathner, & Rouleau, 1988).
The clinical relevance of the 6 FBS w a r r a n t s f u r t h e r investigation, as s o m e
of t h e FBS differentiated a m o n g s u b g r o u p s of child molesters split into g r o u p s
a c c o r d i n g to victim type. Analysis revealed t h a t t h e s e f i n d i n g s were n o t
wholly due to t h e effect of d u r a t i o n of molesting behavior. The m o s t i m p o r t a n t
a s p e c t of t h e s t u d y is t h e d e m o n s t r a t e d statistically significant finding t h a t
cognitive distortions exist in a s a m p l e of child molesters. This is u s e f u l in
u n d e r s t a n d i n g etiology, and, hence, in effective p r e v e n t i o n a n d t r e a t m e n t of
child molesting. SLT m a i n t a i n s t h a t t h e s t r e n g t h of t h e individual's internal
r e i n f o r c e m e n t d e t e r m i n e s t h e p e r p e t r a t i o n or n o n - p e r p e t r a t i o n of child
molestation. This s t u d y d e m o n s t r a t e s t h a t child m o l e s t e r s do report beliefs
a n d a t t i t u d e s t h a t are d r a m a t i c a l l y different f r o m t h o s e of n o n - c h i l d
molesters, suggesting t h a t the normalization of these faulty cognitions m a y be
a n integral p a r t of t h e s u c c e s s f u l t r e a t m e n t of child m o l e s t e r s . Since t h e
n u m b e r of y e a r s a child m o l e s t e r h a s b e e n active i n c r e a s e s t h e n u m b e r of
cognitive distortions a b o u t molesting he endorses, it is m o r e likely t h a t t h e s e
distorted a t t i t u d e s a n d beliefs are learned as t h e molester a t t e m p t s to modify
his beliefs to j u s t i f y a n d rationalize his behavior. S u c c e s s f u l t r e a t m e n t
s h o u l d expose t h e s e c o g n i t i o n s a n d help t h e m o l e s t e r u n d e r s t a n d t h e i r
illogical n a t u r e . Without s u c h distorted beliefs, child m o l e s t e r s would find it
m o r e difficult to j u s t i f y their child m o l e s t a t i o n behavior, with a r e s u l t a n t
decrease in their child molestation.
It is also a p p a r e n t t h a t t h e Cognitive Distortion Scale m u s t be modified to
m a k e it m o r e helpful in a s s e s s i n g child m o l e s t e r s . First, t h e direction of
appropriate a n s w e r s n e e d to be varied so t h a t t h e scale is less t r a n s p a r e n t .
Second, t h e Factor 1 items need to be e m b e d d e d in other questions examining
beliefs a n d attitudes held by non-child molesters t h a t would help conceal these
six discriminating questions. Finally, t h e s e findings need to be replicated in
o t h e r s a m p l e s of child m o l e s t e r s at o t h e r sites to c o n f i r m or d e n y t h e s e
findings. In t h i s m a n n e r we c a n g a t h e r a b e t t e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g of child
molestation a n d therefore increase the likelihood of reducing this m a j o r public
health problem.

Acknowledgements
This research was f u n d e d in part by the Center for the Study of Antisocial a n d
Violent Behavior, R e s e a r c h Grant MH33678, a w a r d e d to Dr. Gene Abel.
Responsibility for t h e integrity of t h e various a s p e c t s of t h i s s t u d y were as
148 Abel, Gore, et a~

follows; paraphflic d a t a collection: G. Abel, J. Becker, J . Rathner; control group

d a t a collection, C. Holland; d e s i g n a n d statistical analysis, G. Abel, D. Gore,
a n d C. Holland; m a n u s c r i p t preparation, all of t h e above.

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Appendix
Abel and Becker Cognition Scale
Read e a c h of t h e s t a t e m e n t s below carefully, a n d t h e n circle t h e n u m b e r t h a t
indicates y o u r a g r e e m e n t with it.

1. Strongly agree
2. Agree
3. Neutral (neither agree or disagree)
4. Disagree
5. Strongly disagree

1 (4) If a y o u n g child stares at m y genital it

m e a n s t h e child likes w h a t she (he) sees
a n d is enjoying w a t c h i n g m y genitals. 2345
2 (2) A m a n (or w o m a n ) is justified in having
sex with his (her) children or step-
children, ff his wife (husband) doesn't
like sex. 2345
3 (3) A child 13 or y o u n g e r c a n m a k e h e r (his)
own decision as to w h e t h e r s h e (he) w a n t s
to have sex with a n adult or not. 2345
4 (4) A child w h o doesn't physically resist a n
adult's sexual advances, really w a n t s to
have sex with t h e adult. 2345
5 (4) If a 13 y e a r old (or younger) child
flirts with a n adult, it m e a n s h e (she)
w a n t s to have sex with the adult. 2345
6 (1) Sex between a 13 y e a r old (or y o u n g e r
child) a n d a n adult c a u s e s t h e child
no e m o t i o n a l problems. 2345
7 (6) Having sex with a child is a good w a y
for a n adult to t e a c h t h e child about
sex. 2345
8 (2) If I tell m y y o u n g child (step-child or
close relative) w h a t to do sexually a n d
t h e y do it, t h a t m e a n s t h e y will always
do it b e c a u s e t h e y really w a n t to. 2345
 Cognitive Distortions of Child Molesters 151

9 (2) W h e n a y o u n g child h a s s e x with a n adult,

it h e l p s t h e child l e a r n h o w to relate
to a d u l t s h~. the future. 2345
10 {4} Most children 13 (or younger) w o u l d
enjoy having sex with a n adult, a n d it
w o u l d n ' t h a r m t h e child in t h e future. 2345
11 (2) Children don't tell o t h e r s a b o u t having
sex with a p a r e n t (or other adult)
b e c a u s e t h e y really like it a n d w a n t
to continue. 2345
12 {6) S o m e t i m e in the future, o u r society will
realize t h a t sex b e t w e e n a child a n d a n adult
is all right. 2345
13 {5) A n a d u l t c a n tell if having s e x with
a y o u n g child will emotionally d a m a g e
t h e child in the future. 2345
14 {6} An a d u l t j u s t feeling a child's b o d y
all over w i t h o u t t o u c h i n g h e r (his)
genitals is n o t really being s e x u a l
with t h e child. 2345
15 {3) ! s h o w m y love a n d affection to a
child b y having sex with h e r (him). 2345
16 {3) It's b e t t e r to have sex with y o u r
child {or s o m e o n e else's child) t h a n
to have a n affair. 2345
17 {i} A n a d u l t fondling a y o u n g child or
having the child fondle t h e a d u l t will
not c a u s e t h e child a n y harm. 2345
18 {4) A child will n e v e r have s e x with a n
a d u l t u n l e s s t h e child really w a n t s to. 2345
19 (NA) My d a u g h t e r (son) or other y o u n g child
k n o w s t h a t I will still love h e r {him)
even if she (he) refuses to be sexual
with me. 2345
20 (2) W h e n a y o u n g child a s k s a n adult
a b o u t sex, it m e a n s that she {he) w a n t s
to see the adult's sex organs or have
sex with the adult. 2345
21 (2) If a n adult h a s sex with a y o u n g child
it p r e v e n t s t h e child from having
sexual h a n g - u p s in t h e future. 2345
152 Abel, Gore, et al.

22 (2) W h e n a y o u n g child w a l k s in front of m e

with no or only a few clothes on, s h e
(he) is trying to a r o u s e me. 12345
23 (1) My relationship with m y d a u g h t e r (son)
or other child is s t r e n g t h e n e d b y the
fact that we have sex together. 12345
24 (1) If a child h a s sex with a n adult,
t h e child will look b a c k at t h e
experience a s a n adult a n d see it as
a positive experience. 12345
25 (1) The only w a y I could do h a r m to a
child w h e n having sex with h e r (him)
would be to u s e physical force to get
h e r (him) to have sex with me. 12345
26 (1) W h e n children w a t c h a n adult m a s t u r b a t e ,
it h e l p s the child learn a b o u t sex. 12345
27 (5) An adult c a n k n o w j u s t h o w m u c h sex
b e t w e e n h i m (her) a n d a child will
h u r t the child later on, 12345
28 (NA) If a p e r s o n is attracted to sex with
children, he (she) s h o u l d solve t h a t
p r o b l e m t h e m s e l v e s a n d n o t t a l k to
professionals. 12345

Note: E a c h i t e m n u m b e r is followed b y its F a c t o r B a s e Scale c a t e g o r y in

parentheses.