Kleptomania-like behaviour and psychosocial characteristics among shoplifters
Shoplifting causes heavy losses to retail trade. The economic extent of shoplifting is not known and probably varies between countries. Some of the culprits have long been called kleptomaniacs. The hypothesis underlying this study, based on detailed interviews with 50 shoplifters directly after havi...
| Authors: | ; ; |
|---|---|
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1997
|
| In: |
Legal and criminological psychology
Year: 1997, Volume: 2, Issue: 1, Pages: 1-10 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
|
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Summary: | Shoplifting causes heavy losses to retail trade. The economic extent of shoplifting is not known and probably varies between countries. Some of the culprits have long been called kleptomaniacs. The hypothesis underlying this study, based on detailed interviews with 50 shoplifters directly after having been caught red-handed, is that features of kleptomania-like behaviour may be common among ‘ordinary’ shoplifters but that all the diagnostic criteria according to DSM-IV are rarely fulfilled. Although none of the shoplifters in this study fulfilled the DSM-IV criteria, many of them reported impulsivity and thrill in connection with the crime, two of the basic criteria for kleptomania according to DSM-IV. Further, many of the shoplifters did not feel to be themselves during the crime indicating dissociative-like experiences, both of which have been described in kleptomania and compulsive buying. Our study supports the hypothesis that there are intermediate stages between kleptomania and shoplifting for personal need. As there are case reports indicating that treatment with anti-depressant pharmaceuticals may have a positive effect on kleptomania and compulsive buying one may question whether persons exhibiting such intermediate stages also should be offered pharmaceutical treatment. Further, in cases of compulsive and ego-dystonic shoplifting, the educational programme developed by Shoplifters Anonymous may be an alternative to fines, which probably have a very limited preventive effect. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2044-8333 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/j.2044-8333.1997.tb00328.x |