An application of the theory of planned behavior to the proximal and distal etiology of sexual offending

Abstract

Emerging from social psychology, the theory of planned behavior offers a potentially useful theoretical framework for research into the etiology of sexual offending in adults and adolescents. The theory of planned behavior--a cognitive-affective theory about the role of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control on behaviors--may provide a means by which to link distal etiological factors into proximal ones involved in the offense process, providing greater specificity to the ''abused- abuser'' hypothesis. The theory of planned behavior also provides a theoretical framework with which to specify mechanisms involved in the proximal offense cycle. Important new directions for research resulting from this conceptual advance are presented, along with limitations of the theory in its application to the etiology of sexual offending. This theoretical framework directs practitioners to classify sexual offenders' cognitive distortions by whether they involve behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs, and/or control beliefs and to modify treatment activities accordingly.