Low Down

  Language learning strategies have traditionally been included in the taxonomy of individual differences. After all, language learning strategies constitute an aspect of the learning process rather than being learner attributes proper. Learning processes which are consciously selected by the learner, and it is also reflected in virtually all other definitions of the concept which equate learning strategies with the learners’ actions/behaviors and thoughts aiming at facilitating learning. And let’s face it: actions and thoughts are not individual differences. At this point we could conclude just saying that the notion of learner strategy is irrelevant to the general theme of this book. However, it is worth digging a bit further before we draw our conclusion, because, as we will see, learning strategies are immensely ambiguous phenomena and nothing is clear-cut about them. Learning styles and learning strategies are interrelated concepts, differing primarily in their breadth and s...

Individuals who repetitively and similarly commit crimes–specifically when internal forces push them to kill, rape, expose themselves, set fires, or molest children–do so because of abhorrent sexual drives. The vast majority of psychiatric, psychological, and criminal-investigative practitioners and researchers agree that such internally driven offenses are sexually motivated. These offenders have a serious disturbance in the sexual area, and they achieve gratification through various forms of acting out, including violence. After a period of engaging in deviant sexual fantasy—usually for a number of years—offenders begin to act their fantasies out by engaging in sexually sadistic behaviors (perhaps directed toward animals), setting fires, molesting children, and the like. These offenders have an inner urge to act on their disturbed sexual fantasies; and once they kill or rape or set fires, they  typically repeat the behavior until apprehended.   In many cases, the compuls...

  The investigation of juvenile sexual crime therefore requires considerable police resources. Some juvenile sex offenders are what can be called serial offenders in that they commit more than one sexual crime against different victims. The rationale behind the policy of intelligence-led policing is to focus limited police resources on the small number of offenders who commit most of the crimes. Serial juvenile sex offenders would therefore be a policing priority. Although serial juvenile sex offenders might be a policing priority, surprisingly little has been written about these young people. Instead, the literature has focused on juvenile sex offenders in general and recidivist juvenile sex offenders. A juvenile is a recidivist if he or she sexually re-offended after some form of official action. At first glance, it might be assumed that juveniles who sexually re-offend could be considered the same group as serial juvenile sex offenders. However, there are some subtle differenc...