Citation

Palermo GB. Int. J. Offender Ther. Comp. Criminol. 1994; 38(3): 205-216.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0306624X9403800303

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The author reviews the syndrome of murder-suicide, focusing particularly on the jealous-paranoia type. After touching upon statistical data and psychoanalytical, sociological, and psychiatric theories, he proposes that a better name for this syndrome would be extended suicide. The author contends that the murderer acts primarily out of a realistic sense of loss, which might be, at times, compounded by psychological and sociological factors. In his view, the aggressor/killer is unable to accept the failure of what he thought was a good and satisfactory relationship. The killer is viewed as a fragile, dependent, ambivalent, aggressive individual who hides behind a facade of self-assertion, and is unable to withstand the reality of an unexpected rejection and, possibly, a drastic life change. He commits suicide after killing his extended Self. © 1994, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.

Language: en