BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION

• NCJ Number: 63379
• Journal: British Journal of Criminology Volume: 19 Issue: 4 Dated: SPECIAL ISSUE (OCTOBER 1979) Pages: COMPLETE ISSUE
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 136 pages
• Corporate Author: Stevens and Sons
• Sale Source: Fred B Rothman & Co
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom
• Note: PRICE QUOTED IS FOR THE ENTIRE ISSUE

Annotation

PAPERS IN THIS JOURNAL ADDRESS MANY OF THE THEORETICAL, PRACTICAL, AND ETHICAL PROBLEMS IN THE APPLICATION OF BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION TO OFFENDERS IN PENAL INSTITUTIONS AND IN THE COMMUNITY.

Abstract

MOST OF THE PAPERS IN THIS BRITISH JOURNAL WERE PRESENTED TO A 1977 WORKSHOP AT THE CAMBRIDGE CRIMINOLOGY CONFERENCE IN ENGLAND. PROGRAMS ARE PROVIDED FOR YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS, ADULT RECIDIVISTS, AND OFFENDERS WITH SPECIAL PROBLEMS OF SOCIAL OR SEXUAL ADJUSTMENT. THESE PROGRAMS ILLUSTRATE THE POSSIBILITIES AND THE LIMITATIONS OF BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION IN RESTRAINING OFFENDERS FROM FURTHER CRIME. ALTHOUGH BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION TECHNIQUES HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY USED IN EDUCATIONAL AND PSYCHIATRIC PROGRAMS, ATTEMPTS TO USE THESE METHODS IN THE TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS HAVE MET WITH LITTLE SUCCESS. IN THESE PAPERS, THE NATURE OF DELINQUENCY IS EXPLORED AS WELL AS METHODS OF BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION IN CRIME PREVENTION, BEHAVIOR THERAPY AND BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION, AND SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS OF BEHAVIOR THERAPY TO THE PROBLEMS OF OFFENDERS. BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION IN AMERICAN PENAL INSTITUTIONS IS CONSIDERED, INCLUDING A REVIEW OF STUDY FINDINGS, AND THE IMPLICATIONS OF SPECIFIC PROGRAMS SUCH AS THOSE IN THE PATUXENT INSTITUTION (MARYLAND) AND THE VIRGINIA CONTINGENCY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. AN ANALYSIS OF DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION IN THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EMPHASIZES JUVENILE ACTS OF DISHONESTY, AGGRESSION, AND DESTRUCTION WHICH ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAJORITY OF COURT APPEARANCES. THE USE OF ONE FORM OF BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION--TOKEN ECONOMY STRATEGIES IN CRIMINAL INSTITUTIONS--IS ALSO DISCUSSED, INCLUDING MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS OF SUCH PROGRAMS, THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THESE STRATEGIES, TRAINING OF PERSONNEL, AND PROBLEMS IN IMPLEMENTATION. A SPECIFIC TOKEN ECONOMY PROGRAM IN OPERATION AT AYCLIFFE SCHOOL IN ENGLAND IS DESCRIBED, AND THE WORK OF 10 PSYCHOLOGISTS TREATING INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS IN ENGLISH PRISONS IS DISCUSSED. THE FINAL PAPER REVIEWS THE NATURE OF BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION AND METHODS TO PREVENT ITS ABUSE IN PRISONS. THE JOURNAL CONTAINS A FOREWORD AS WELL AS REFERENCES FOR EACH PAPER. (PRG)