NCJ Number
50177
Journal
Social Work Volume: 17 Issue: 6 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1972) Pages: 78-84
Date Published
1972
Length
7 pages
Annotation
A PILOT PROJECT THAT COMBINED GROUP WORK METHODS WITH BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION THEORY IN WORKING WITH JUVENILE PAROLEES IN CINCINNATI, OHIO, IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
SIX COUNSELORS COMPLETED TRAINING SESSIONS IN GROUP THEORY AND PRACTICE AND THEN CONDUCTED GROUP MEETINGS WITH 46 YOUTHS CHOSEN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROJECT. THE GROUP MEETINGS WERE INTENDED TO HELP PARTICIPANTS WORK TOGETHER TOWARD SOLVING PROBLEMS AND ACHIEVING GOALS. THE PARTICIPANTS WERE TO RECEIVE $5 FOR EACH MEETING ATTENDED. THE PROJECT ENCOUNTERED SEVERAL PROBLEMS: DELAYS IN FUNDING TO PAY PARTICIPANTS FOR ATTENDANCE, FRUSTRATION AND APATHY ON THE PART OF COUNSELORS, FAILURE OF THE ROLE MODELS TO PERFORM AS EXPECTED, AND A TENDENCY OF THE GROUPS TO FOCUS ON GENERAL ACTIVITIES RATHER THAN ON GOALS AND PROBLEM SOLVING. A COMPARISON OF GROUP MEETING PARTICIPANTS WITH CONTROL SUBJECTS REVEALED LITTLE DIFFERENCE IN RECIDIVISM AND DIFFICULTIES WITH LEGAL AGENCIES. GROUP PARTICIPANTS ACTUALLY EXHIBITED A GREATER TENDENCY TO ACT OUT (BECOME INVOLVED WITH THE LAW) THAN DID CONTROLS. COUNSELORS NOTED IMPROVEMENTS IN THE GROUP MEMBERS' ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR, BUT THE YOUTHS' RESPONSES TO AN ATTITUDE QUESTIONNAIRE INDICATED THAT THEIR OUTLOOK ACTUALLY HAD DETERIORATED DURING THE COURSE OF THE PROJECT. SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING THE GROUP APPROACH TO INTERVENTION (E.G., MAKING SURE THAT MONETARY REWARDS ARE GIVEN IMMEDIATELY, USING NEGATIVE AS WELL AS POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT TO INSURE ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS, FULLY INVOLVING OTHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES IN THE PROJECT, LIMITING THE CASELOADS OF PARTICIPATING COUNSELORS) ARE OFFERED. (LKM)