NCJ Number
125368
Journal
Educational Horizons Volume: 67 Issue: 4 Dated: (Summer 1989) Pages: 124-130
Date Published
1989
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Though delinquents may lack the thinking skills required for social competence, when the skills are taught, reductions in recidivism are as high as 74 percent.
Abstract
The cognitive model of delinquency prevention is based on research on the factors associated with success in the treatment of delinquent and criminal behavior. The model suggests that training in social cognitive skills, particularly social perspective-taking, may help to insulate at-risk children from criminogenic influences. Successful training programs share one characteristic: some technique which could be expected to have an impact on the delinquent's thinking. Many antisocial individuals have deficits in interpersonal cognitive problem solving -- the thinking skills which are required for solving problems in interacting with other people. Their lack of awareness or sensitivity to other people's thoughts or feelings severely impairs their ability to form acceptable relationships with people. Cognitive skills help to insulate the individual from personal, social, environmental, or situational pressure toward criminal behavior. Cognitive deficits place the individual at a disadvantage academically, vocationally, and socially, and they make the individual more vulnerable to criminogenic influences. Education in parenting may be the only real way to break the cycle of parental abuse or neglect and criminal behavior. 31 notes.