Pyromania: Causes and Treatment

Paper Summary:

In this essay the writer reviews the causes or triggers of arson and suggests some possible treatments. Although space constraints do not permit an exhaustive review of every treatment available, the writer points out that there are some that have shown success in addressing the needs of pyromaniacs. The paper concludes, in part, by noting just how difficult and complicated is the matter of pyromania.

From the Paper:

"The phenomenon of pyromania is a matter that troubles behavioral and social psychologists the world over. Unlike so many other illegal acts, even the perpetrator has really no idea of the potential damage and suffering that may result from a fire-setting. For instance, while a gunman - or gun woman - can determine how many rounds he or she will fire, and while the flailing fists and feet of an assailant are directly under the control of that individual's brain (however dysfunctional it may be) an arsonist has positively no control over the dynamics of a raging fire; once started, a fire blazes its own path. With that uppermost in mind, it is clear that uncovering the root causes of arson and determining methods of treating individuals who commit the act is an abiding preoccupation for a great many professionals in the fields of psychology and law enforcement."

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