NCJ Number
111159
Editor(s)
E K Morris,
C J Braukmann
Date Published
1987
Length
625 pages
Annotation
This handbook focuses on the theoretical and practical applications of behavioral psychology to the treatment of adult criminals and juvenile delinquents.
Abstract
The first section provides a history of contemporary behaviorism and its intellectual underpinnings. The concepts of behaviorism are explained, as are special terminology and vocabulary. The applicability of behavioral interventions to the problems of crime and delinquency is discussed in detail. The second section examines the application of behavioral interventions to specific aspects of adult and juvenile corrections such as probation, parole, group homes for delinquents, token economies, and the management of inmates in closed institutions. Throughout the examination of specifics runs the basic behavioral premise that criminal and delinquent behavior is learned and can be unlearned through the application of appropriate interventions. The third section examines the application of behavioral psychology to the problems of communities: community and school-based juvenile diversion and delinquency prevention programs, crime prevention, and assistance to abusing and neglectful families. The fourth section treats special topics in behavioral psychology as a system of intervention in the criminal justice system: the compulsory treatment of drug and alcohol abusers, the behavioral treatment of rapists and child molesters, and the use of behavioral interventions in juvenile institutions outside of the United States. In addition, evaluations of programs using behavioral interventions are discussed. The fifth section discusses variant theoretical conceptions, such as social learning theory and cognitive-behavioral theory, and the sixth section treats the special concerns -- ethical, professional, legal, and political -- of the practicing behavioral psychologist in a correctional setting. For individual chapters see NCJ 111160-111181. Figures, chapter references, and indexes.