Experiences in prenatal life and early childhood that may cause personality disorders or criminal behavior in later life are examined in these proceedings of the Subcommittee on Childhood Experience as Causes of Criminal Behavior of the Standing Committee on Health, Welfare and Science. This issue, the fifteenth in a series of 19 hearings dating from November 1977 to July 1978, presents the testimony of Dr. James W. Prescott concerning the effects of deprivation of affection in infancy and the repression of sexuality in adolescence on violent behavior later in life. A wide range of findings are given. The ability to develop compassion and empathy for the suffering of others is seen to be rooted in the development of affectional relationships which begins at birth. Biological, neurological, and behavioral data related to isolation and violent expressions of sexuality are presented. Results of cross-cultural and prison studies which show the harmful consequences of physical punishment, deprivation of affection and/or sexual repression are given. Statistical analyses show that the infant mortality rate predicts significant portions of homicide, personal assult, rape, and venereal disease rates in various decades after the 1920s in the United States. Questions of committee members probe related issues. Both English and French texts are provided. (Author/RH)