Human figure drawings of sex offenders

J Clin Psychol. 1977 Jan;33(1):278-84. doi: 10.1002/1097-4679(197701)33:1+<278::aid-jclp2270330164>3.0.co;2-b.

Abstract

The D-A-P was administered to 60 male sex offenders from a correctional institution. The drawings of the inmates, taken as a whole, seemed to be indicative of narcissism, assertion, sex disturbance, aggression, and anxiety. Significant differences in the drawings of rapists, child molesters, and incest offenders were found. The following D-A-P aspects appeared to be prominent in the drawings of the Ss, in descending order: reinforcement, long nose, large head, legs wide apart, too much hair, waistline emphasis, slash mouth, long feet, pointy fingers, distorted heads, and opposite sex drawn first.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aggression
  • Anxiety / diagnosis
  • Body Image*
  • Conflict, Psychological
  • Gender Identity
  • Humans
  • Identification, Psychological
  • Incest
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Narcissism
  • Paraphilic Disorders / diagnosis
  • Projective Techniques*
  • Rape
  • Sex Offenses*