The implicit theories of child sexual exploitation material users: An initial conceptualization

Bartels, Ross M.; Merdian, Hannah L.

doi:10.1016/j.avb.2015.11.002

Cited by 63Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual OffendingSexuality, Behavior, and TechnologyCybercrime and Law Enforcement Studies

The implicit theories of child sexual exploitation material users: An initial conceptualization

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Bartels, Ross M., Merdian, Hannah L.·2016·Aggression and Violent Behavior

DOI 10.1016/j.avb.2015.11.002

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CSAM offenders who consume abusive material have belief systems that minimize harm rather than explicitly endorse abuse, allowing them to justify continued engagement.
“Research on CSAM offenders suggests that those who consume abusive material have belief systems that minimize harm rather than explicitly endorse abuse, allowing them to justify continued engagement (Bartels and Merdian 2016).”
From AI-generated child sexual abuse material: what’s the harm? (2026) · cites this paper as Bartels and Merdian 2016

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COGNITION IN SEXUAL OFFENDING
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Authors: Bartels, R. M., & Merdian, H. L.
Affiliations: University of Lincoln (GB)
Corresponding author: Bartels, Ross M.
ORCID: Bartels, Ross M.
Merdian, Hannah L.
Venue: Aggression and Violent Behavior
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2016-01
Volume: 26
Pages: 16-25
ISSN: 1359-1789 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.avb.2015.11.002
OpenAlex: W2177047444
Cited by: 62
References: 107
Citations by year: 2026: 8 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 2
FWCI: 3.73
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
figshare.com
Licence: cc-by-nc-nd
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations: Aggression and Violent Behavior (publishedVersion)
Lincoln Repository (University of Lincoln) (acceptedVersion)
Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › Cybercrime and Law Enforcement Studies
Keywords: child sexual exploitation material, mindset, core beliefs, conceptualization

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