Dysfunctional Self-Identities: Exploring the Life Stories of 15 Murderers within a Narrative Framework

Oct 23, 2026

A doctoral thesis explores how dysfunctional self-identities emerge through narrative life stories, examining 15 murderers within a structured narrative framework. It reviews traditional approaches to studying murder and develops a narrative-centered model, defining dysfunctional narratives and assessing coherence, credibility, openness to change, reconciliation, generativity, differentiation, and related constructs. Methodology uses narrative interviewing and content analysis, reporting grouped results and discussing implications for identity formation, narrative reconstruction, and research and investigative applications.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages386

Reading Time16 h 13 min

AccessFree to download

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

Chapter One: The Importance of Narrative to the Exploration of Murder

Chapter Two: Content Components of Narrative

Chapter Three: Narrative Structure

Chapter Four: The Normal Development of Narrative Structure

Chapter Five: The Model of Narrative Functionality

Chapter Six: The Model

METHODOLOGY

Chapter Seven: Data Collection

Chapter Eight: Content Analysis

Chapter Nine: Group Structure

RESULTS

Chapter Ten: Group One — The Non-Identities

Chapter Eleven: Group Two — The Deceivers

Chapter Twelve: Group Three — The Single Identities

Chapter Thirteen: Group Four — The Searchers

Chapter Fourteen: Group Five — The Enlightened

DISCUSSION

Chapter Fifteen: Support for the Model

Chapter Sixteen: Implications of the Model

Chapter Seventeen: The Applications of the Model

CONCLUSION

Chapter Eighteen: An Overview

REFERENCES

APPENDICES

Dysfunctional Self-Identities:Exploring the LifeStories of 15 Murderers within a Narrative Framework Thesis submitted in accordance with the requirements of the University of Liverpoolfor the degree of Doctor in Philosophy by Mary-Louise Parkinson. October 1999 LIBRARY BRITISH IMAGING SERVICES NORTH Boston Spa,WetherbyWest Yorkshire,LS237BQwww.bl.uk PAGE NUMBERING ASORIGINAL Table of Contents Pages Title (1) Dedications Acknowledgements ② (3) # ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Chapter One:The Importance of Narrative to theExploration of Murder (4-28) 1.0: Traditional Approaches to The Study of Murder The Offender's Account 1.1: 1.2: Projective Techniques 1.3: Pathology and Murder-Personality Traits 1.4: Classifying Murder 1.5: Theories Of Aggression Towards ANew Approach to Murder 1.6: 1.7: The Importance of Narrative to The Exploration of Murder 1.8:: The Self 1.9: ] Narrative Theory and The Self 1.10: The Relationship Between Narrative And AutobiographicalMemory 1.11: Definition of Narrative as Realised in This Study 1.12: Narrative as Structure 1.13: : The Primary Function of The Life Story 1.14: The Components of Narrative-Examining The Life Story # Chapter Two: Content Components of Narrative Introduction 2.0: 2.1: Narrative Tone 2.2: Imagery 2.3: Theme 2.4: Ideological Setting 2.5: Nuclear Episodes 2.6: Imagoes 2.7: The Generativity Script 2.8: Narrative And Self Identity 2.9: Classification of Narrative 2.10: Narratives of Culture (41-56) # Chapter Three: Narrative Structure 3.0: Introduction 3.1: Narrative Structure 3.2: Self Construction 3.3: Distortion and Recall 3.4: Constructivism 3.5: Narrative Thinking 3.6: Self Narrative 3.7; The Meaning of Narrative as Used in This Study 3.8: Dysfunctional Narratives-A Definition 3.9: Evaluating Meaning in Coherent Cultural Narratives 3.10:Momentary Selves And Narrative Selves 3.11:Causal-Explanatory Systems 3.12:Isolating Narratives 3.13: Structure 3.14:McAdam's Application of Loevinger's Model 3.15: Stages of Ego Development 3.16:Cognitive Development and Criminal Behaviour 3.17:Interpersonal Maturity Level Model 3.18: The Conceptual Levels Model # Chapter Four:The Normal Development of(57-69)Narrative Structure 4.0: The Normal Development of Narrative Structure 4.1: How Does The Life Story Change Over Time 4.2: The Mature Narrative 4.3: Individual Differences in Development of Identity 4.4: ll Formed Narratives # Chapter Five: The Model of Narrative Functionality 5.0:What does a Dysfunctional Narrative looklike? 5.1: The Concept of Change # Chapter Six: The Model 6.0: Introduction 6.1: Coherence 6.2: Credibility(versus Fantasy) 6.3: Openness to Change (versus Rigidity) 6.4: Reconciliation(versus Disquiet) 6.5: Generativity(versus Egocentricity) 6.6: Differentiation(versus Global thinking) # METHODOLOGY Chapter Seven: Data Collection Interview Design 7.0: 7.1: The Narrative Interview 7.2: Pre Interview 7.3: The Procedure 7.4: The Interviews 7.5: The Interviewers 7.6: The Sample 7.7: Raw Data 7.8: Sample Size (70-76) (77-93) (94-124) 7.9: Murder Background Details 7.10: Equipment 7.11: Presentation of Results Chapter Eight: Content Analysis (125-135) 8.0: Introduction 8.1: Interviewer Influence 8.2: Content Analysis 8.3: Content Category Dictionary 8.4: Extracting Themes For Narrative Structure 8.5: Inter Rater Agreement Redefining the Hypotheses (136-141) # Chapter Nine: 9.0: Introduction 9.1: Group One 9.2: Group Two 9.3: Group Three 9.4: Group Four 9.5: Group Five # RESULTS Chapter Ten: Group OneThe Non-IdentitiesAdamDavidRichard (142-178) Chapter Eleven: Group Two (179-210)

FAQs

What does the thesis investigate about self-identity in murderers’ life stories?

It investigates how dysfunctional self-identities are explored through life stories framed by narrative structure and functionality. The study defines dysfunctional narratives and evaluates their meaning and coherence within a cultural narrative context.

How does the study assess narrative functionality and dysfunctional narratives?

It evaluates key components such as coherence, credibility (versus fantasy), openness to change (versus rigidity), reconciliation (versus disquiet), generativity (versus egocentricity), and differentiation (versus global thinking). These components guide the model’s description of what dysfunctional narratives look like.

What methods are used to collect and analyze the data?

Data are collected through narrative interviewing, including interview design, procedure, interviewer considerations, and sample details. Results are produced using content analysis, including a content category dictionary, theme extraction for narrative structure, and inter-rater agreement.

Oct 23, 2026

Upload by BigDaveOnline