Findings

• Findings

  • In order to determine previous experiences + what caused the 44 thieves to turn to stealing it was necessary to distinguish between different types:

  1. Normal - appear normal + stable
  2. Depressed - appear unstable
  3. Circular - showing alternating depression + overactivity
  4. Hyperthymic - constant overactivity
  5. Affectionless - lack of normal affection, shame or sense of responsibility
  6. Schizoid - marked schizoid or schizophrenic symptoms
• Findings 2

  • 14/44 thieves were classed as affectionless
  • 12 had experienced frequent separations from their mother
• Findings + separation

  • 17/44 (40%) thieves had prolonged separation from their mother
  • 2/44 (5%) control group had prolonged separation
  • In the remaining 27/44 (60%) had difficult home lives
• Findings + affectionless thieves

  • 14/44 thieves were classed as affectionless
  • 13 of these were classed as grade 4 thieves
• Findings + grading thieves

  • 23 persistent (grade 4) thieves
  • 13 (56%) were affectionless
  • 14 of these 23 were thieves (61%) had a prolonged separation