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Abstract

The results of a Russian study of the psychological aspects of criminal homicidal aggression are presented. The authors propose a typology of homicidal aggressors based on an analysis of their criminal behavior, their psychological structure, the dysfunction of the self-control mechanism, and their differing personality characteristics. They identify the following types of aggression: functional-utilitarian; habitual noncontrolled; situational- defensive, motivated by an affective goal; and catastrophic aggression. They present the differential criteria as useful to criminal experts in their analysis of offenders, particularly in cases involving the determination of criminal responsibility.

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The Psychological Typology of Criminal Homicidal Aggression

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