NCJ Number
48445
Date Published
1975
Length
26 pages
Annotation
TREATMENT STRATEGIES FOR PSYCHOPATHIC SEXUAL OFFENDERS AT THE WESTERN STATE HOSPITAL AT FORT STEILACOOM, WASHINGTON ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
PERSONAL DEPRIVATIONS AND INADEQUACIES RESULT IN THE PSYCHOPATIC INDIVIDUAL'S RESORTING TO COMPENSATORY DEVICES SUCH AS MANIPULATION, DECEPTION, AND FANTASY, WHICH EVENTUALLY BECOME A MAJOR INFLUENCING OR CONTROLLING FACTOR IN THAT INDIVIDUAL'S BEHAVIOR. ONCE THE PSYCHOPATHIC CONDITION HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED IT FORMS A SELF-DEFEATING AND SELF-REINFORCING CYCLE. CONSEQUENTLY, COGNITIVE RESTRUCTURING IS NECESSARY TO ENABLE THE PSYCHOPATHIC PERSONALITY TO MORE ACCURATELY APPREHEND AND PROCESS INPUTS AND MORE APPROPRIATELY AND ADEQUATELY RESPOND TO THEM. OF THE METHODS AVAILABLE TO THE BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION THERAPIST, THE GROUP THERAPY MODEL IS MOST WIDELY USED. IDENTIFICATION WITH OTHERS IN THE TREATMENT CULTURE, A COHESIVE BOND OR SENSE OF BELONGING, AND ACCEPTANCE BY THE GROUP HELP BRING ABOUT PERSONALITY CHANGE. GROUP REVIEW OF BEHAVIORS AND GROUP FEEDBACK ARE ESSENTIAL FACTORS IN THE LEARNING PROCESS LEADING TO BEHAVIOR CHANGE. GROUP ACCEPTANCE OF THE INDIVIDUAL GROUP MEMBER ALLOWS OPEN SELF-EXPRESSION, EXPLORATION OF PERSONAL VALUE SYSTEMS, NEUTRALIZATION OF THREAT, AND ENHANCED SELF-CONCEPT. THE PROGRAM FOR SEXUAL OFFENDERS AT WESTERN STATE HOSPITAL EMPHASIZES SEXUAL OFFENDER INTERACTIONS ON A NONHURTFUL BASIS WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF THE TREATMENT COMMUNITY. AN EFFORT IS MADE TO MAINTAIN A MILIEU WHICH REINFORCES THE PATIENT'S FEELING OF SELF-WORTH AND TRANSMITS THE EXPECTATION THAT HE WILL BEHAVE IN AN APPROPRIATE AND RESPONSIBLE MANNER CHARACTERIZED BY REAL CONCERN FOR HIMSELF AND FOR OTHERS AFFECTED BY HIS ACTIONS. THUS, WITHIN THE TREATMENT GROUP, GROUP COHESION AND GENUINE CONCERN FOR GROUP MEMBERS, THE GROUP NORMATIVE CULTURE, AND PATIENT GROUP LEADERSHIP TOGETHER PROVIDE EFFECTIVE MECHANISM FOR INDUCING INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR CHANGE. BY ESTABLISHING A HELPFUL, CONCERNED, AND NONDEVIANT GROUP CULTURE, THE GROUP CULTURE BECOMES A SELF-REINFORCING MECHANISM FOR MODELING CHANGE. GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY PROVIDES A MEANS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITHIN A SOCIAL CONTEXT. THE BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION PROGRAM IS BASED ON THE PRINCIPLE THAT SEXUAL MISBEHAVIOR IS LEARNED BEHAVIOR WHICH CAN BE MODIFIED THROUGH INTENSE PSYCHOTHERAPY WHICH PROVIDES AN ATMOSPHERE OF DIGNITY AND ACCEPTANCE AND TEACHES OFFENDERS ACCEPTABLE AND NONHURTFUL METHODS FOR MEETING THEIR NEEDS THROUGH SOCIAL INTERACTION. THAT THIS PRINCIPAL IS VALID IS BORNE OUT BY THE SUCCESS OF TREATMENT PROGRAM GRADUATES. NOTES ARE INCLUDED. (JAP)