Book•
The Psychology of Criminal Conduct
01 Jan 1994-
TL;DR: For instance, the authors investigates the relationship between the beginning and maintenance of criminal activity and diverse risk predictors (singular and social, static and dynamic) in the development of criminal behaviour.
Abstract: Throughout the last decades the so-called Psychology of criminal conduct, which agglutinates scientific knowledge surrounding criminal phenomena, has been taking shape. We can find among the principal fields of interests an explanation for antisocial behaviour where learning theories, analyses of individual characteristics, strain-agression hypotheses, studies on social vinculation and crime, and the analyses of criminal careers are relevant. This last sector, also denominated ‘developmental criminology’, investigates the relationship between the beginning and maintenance of criminal activity and diverse risk predictors (singular and social, static and dynamic). Their results have had great relevance in the creation of crime prevention and treatment programs. Psychological treatments of offenders are aimed at the modification of those risk factors, known as ‘criminogenic needs’, which are considered to be directly related to their criminal activity. In particular, treatment programs attempt to provide criminals (whether juveniles, abusers, sexual aggressors, etc.) with new repertoires of prosocial behaviour, develop their thinking, regulate their choleric emotions, and prevent relapses or recidivisms in crime. Lastly, nowadays the Psychology of criminal conduct places special emphasis on the prediction and management of the risk for violent and antisocial behaviour, a field which will be addressed in a subsequent paper of this same monograph.
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TL;DR: This study compared a group of 104 adult male sex offenders who received community cognitive-behavioral treatment, correctional supervision, and periodic polygraph compliance exams with a matched group of104 sex offender who received the same type of treatment and supervision services but no polygraph exams.
Abstract: This study compared a group of 104 adult male sex offenders who received community cognitive-behavioral treatment, correctional supervision, and periodic polygraph compliance exams with a matched group of 104 sex offenders who received the same type of treatment and supervision services but no polygraph exams. Polygraph exams focused on whether participants were following their conditions of community supervision and treatment and had avoided committing new sexual offenses. The two groups were exact pair-wise matched on three variables: (1) Static-99 risk score (Hanson & Thornton 2000, Law and Human Behavior, 24, 119–136), (2) status as a completer of prison sex offender treatment, and (3) date placed in the community. At fixed 5-year follow-up periods, the number of individuals in the polygraph group charged with committing a new non-sexual violent offense was significantly lower than in the no polygraph group (2.9% versus 11.5%). However, there were no significant between-group differences for the number of individuals charged for new sexual (5.8% versus 6.7%), any sexual or violent (8.7% versus 16.3%), or any criminal offense (39.4% versus 34.6%). The results are discussed in terms of their clinical and research implications.
52 citations
Cites background or methods from "The Psychology of Criminal Conduct"
...When punishment is used it is consistent with learning theory and, for example, is immediate, reasonable, and inescapable (Andrews and Bonta 2007; Gendreau 1996)....
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...Considerable empirical evidence from the general correctional literature indicates that sanctions or threat of sanctions have little impact on recidivism (Andrews and Bonta 2007; Aos et al. 2006; Gendreau et al. 2001)....
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...If subsequent research is to find that polygraphy is indeed a useful tool for reducing the re-offense rates of sexual offenders, it will likely be embedded in programs that follow well-established principles of effective correctional practice— primarily those of risk, need and responsivity (Andrews and Bonta 2007; Hanson 2006)....
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...Offenders plan and spend considerable time practicing prosocial behaviors (Andrews and Bonta 2007; Gendreau 1996)....
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...…to be sure that such information does not undermine their ability to relate therapeutically to those they supervise and treat, as the quality of the working relationship between the offender and service provider is closely linked to outcome (Andrews and Bonta 2007; Gendreau 1996; Marshall 2005)....
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TL;DR: In this paper, a meta-analysis showed that providing inmates with education while incarcerated reduced their chances of recidivism and improved their post-release employment prospects, and that inmates who received education were 28% less likely to recidivate when compared with those who did not receive education.
Abstract: Our study addresses the question: Does providing inmates with education while incarcerated reduce their chances of recidivism and improve their postrelease employment prospects? We aggregated 37 years of research (1980–2017) on correctional education and applied meta-analytic techniques. As the basis for our meta-analysis, we identified a total of 57 studies that used recidivism as an outcome and 21 studies that used employment as an outcome. We then applied random-effects regression across the effect sizes abstracted from each of these studies. When focusing on studies with the highest caliber research designs, we found that inmates participating in correctional education programs were 28% less likely to recidivate when compared with inmates who did not participate in correctional education programs. However, we found that inmates receiving correctional education were as likely to obtain postrelease employment as inmates not receiving correctional education. Our meta-analysis demonstrates the value in providing inmates with educational opportunities while they serve their sentences if the goal of the program is to reduce recidivism.
52 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of perceived levels of emotional and instrumental family support on the likelihood of self-reported criminal activity and new arrests in the 15 months following release from state prison.
Abstract: Using data from the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative evaluation, this study measures the effects of perceived levels of emotional and instrumental family support on the likelihood of self-reported criminal activity and new arrests in the 15 months following release from state prison. Logistic regression models using both listwise deletion and multiple imputation are employed. Findings indicate that higher levels of emotional support are associated with a significant reduction in reoffending. Higher levels of instrumental support do not significantly predict reoffending. The findings have implications for policies and practices within the corrections system as well as post-release supervision agencies.
52 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors address issues related to the prediction of violent and nonviolent recidivism among adult male offenders and propose suggestions for making accurate predictions along with a brief description of five actuarial measurements.
52 citations
TL;DR: A review of literature focusing on aggression and adolescent girls is presented in this article, with an orientation towards furthering a research agenda in the area of aggression with adolescent girls, which is acknowledged to be a limited literature, there are important themes for human service providers and policy-makers to consider in examining assessment, treatment and prevention strategies for aggressive adolescent girls.
Abstract: This review of literature focuses on aggression and adolescent girls. Recent official crime statistics from Statistics Canada show an increase in violent offences by girls. This statistic has created considerable interest in a heretofore largely ignored area of childhood maladjustment. Important differences regarding the development and expression of aggression with girls in contrast to boys is provided. In the context of what is acknowledged to be a limited literature, there are important themes for human service-providers and policy-makers to consider in examining assessment, treatment, and prevention strategies for aggressive adolescent girls. Finally, an orientation towards furthering a research agenda in the area of aggression with adolescent girls is provided. Recent high-profile cases involving violence with girls (e.g., witness the media coverage of the Reena Virk murder in British Columbia) has focused the attention of the public on a heretofore unacknowledged societal problem: violence involving adolescent girls. The present review of literature is concerned with aggression and adolescent girls of which violent expression is but one component. The review includes literature pertinent to girls' use of aggression in a variety of contexts, including peer on peer aggression, same and opposite gender aggression, as well as dating violence. It is presented with the belief that a careful reading of that literature will further an agenda of understanding regarding the unique aspects of girls who display violent behaviour. Relative to the literature regarding violence with adolescent boys, the literature with girls is limited. Yet, our reading of what is available suggests that there is now a basis for a serious discussion regarding the unique needs of girls who may be prone to acting in violent ways. Our conclusion is that there is an obvious need for professionals to begin to draw on assessment, treatment, and prevention options that are sensitive to the unique needs of girls. Again, while the number of studies with girls may seem limited, it is not premature to begin exploring some of the potential findings that could relate to the unique human service needs of girls. This review begins within the context of the increasing rate at which girls are proceeding through the youth court in Canada for violent offences. Following the review will be a discussion of potential explanations for that increase with reference not only to problems of definition for childhood and adolescent aggression, but also to some of the unique aspects of the juvenile justice process that may affect rates of reporting violence with girls. Drawing primarily on research in North America, this review examines those studies focused on aggression for girls between the ages 12 to 17, the corresponding ages in Canada under the Young Offenders Act. Empirical studies that relate to the understanding of the correlates of aggression with adolescent girls and to possible measurement issues for risk prediction will be summarized. This group of studies fits the criteria for inclusion by age and gender with data that reports an association of factors for girls and aggression. Suggestions will then be given for human service, including assessment, treatment, and prevention. These suggestions will reflect an understanding from the literature on aggression with adolescent girls on how a gender-sensitive human service delivery system in youth justice could be developed. Finally, recommendations for furthering a research agenda in understanding aggression and adolescent girls will be made. Overview of Violence and Adolescent Girls Concern with respect to violence and young people in Canada is now without precedence. Fear amongst Canadians for the out-of-control behaviour of young people is high (Labor, 1999). This fear is present despite the fact that Statistics Canada has recently reported that violent crime amongst young people overall has shown a reduction over the past five years (Statistics Canada, 1999). …
52 citations
References
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TL;DR: It is suggested that delinquency conceals 2 distinct categories of individuals, each with a unique natural history and etiology: a small group engages in antisocial behavior of 1 sort or another at every life stage, whereas a larger group is antisocial only during adolescence.
Abstract: This chapter suggests that delinquency conceals two distinct categories of individuals, each with a unique natural history and etiology: A small group engages in antisocial behavior of one sort or another at every life stage, whereas a larger group is antisocial only during adolescence. According to the theory of life-course-persistent antisocial behavior, children's neuropsychological problems interact cumulatively with their criminogenic environments across development, culminating m a pathological personality. According to the theory of adolescence-limited antisocial behavior, a contemporary maturity gap encourages teens to mimic antisocial behavior in ways that are normative and adjustive. There are marked individual differences in the stability of antisocial behavior. The chapter reviews the mysterious relationship between age and antisocial behavior. Some youths who refrain from antisocial behavior may, for some reason, not sense the maturity gap and therefore lack the hypothesized motivation for experimenting with crime.
9,425 citations
28 Jul 2017
TL;DR: In Causes of Delinquency, Hirschi attempts to state and test a theory of delinquency, seeing in the delinquent a person relatively free of the intimate attachments, the aspirations, and the moral beliefs that bind most people to a life within the law.
Abstract: In Causes of Delinquency, Hirschi attempts to state and test a theory of delinquency, seeing in the delinquent a person relatively free of the intimate attachments, the aspirations, and the moral beliefs that bind most people to a life within the law. In prominent alternative theories, the delinquent appears either as a frustrated striver forced into delinquency by his acceptance of the goals common to us all, or as an innocent foreigner attempting to obey the rules of a society that is not in position to make the law or define conduct as good or evil. Hirschi analyzes a large body of data on delinquency collected in Western Contra Costa County, California, contrasting throughout the assumptions of the strain, control, and cultural deviance theories. He outlines the assumptions of these theories and discusses the logical and empirical difficulties attributed to each of them. Then draws from sources an outline of social control theory, the theory that informs the subsequent analysis and which is advocated here. Often listed as a "Citation Classic," Causes of Delinquency retains its force and cogency with age. It is an important volume and a necessary addition to the libraries of sociologists, criminologists, scholars and students in the area of delinquency.
3,690 citations
Book•
01 Jan 2005TL;DR: Haug, Sorensen, Gruber, Song, Relapse Prevention for Opioid Dependence, and Wheeler, George, Stoner, Enhancing the Relapse prevention model for Sex Offenders: Adding Recidivism Risk Reduction Therapy to Target Offenders' Dynamic Risk Needs.
Abstract: Marlatt, Witkiewitz, Relapse Prevention for Alcohol and Drug Problems. Blume, de la Cruz, Relapse Prevention among Diverse Populations. Kadden, Cooney, Treating Alcohol Problems. Shiffman, Kassel, Gwaltney, McChargue, Relapse Prevention for Smoking. Carroll, Rawson, Relapse Prevention for Stimulant Dependence. Haug, Sorensen, Gruber, Song, Relapse Prevention for Opioid Dependence. Roffman, Stephens, Relapse Prevention for Cannabis Abuse and Dependence. Kilmer, Cronce, Palmer, Relapse Prevention for Abuse of Club Drugs, Hallucinogens, Inhalants, and Steroids. Collins, Relapse Prevention for Eating Disorders and Obesity. Shaffer, LaPlante, Treatment of Gambling Disorders. Wheeler, George, Stoner, Enhancing the Relapse Prevention Model for Sex Offenders: Adding Recidivism Risk Reduction Therapy to Target Offenders' Dynamic Risk Needs. Zawacki, Stoner, George, Relapse Prevention for Sexually Risky Behaviors.
2,866 citations
01 Jan 1989
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a theory of criminality, heredity, and environment for criminality and apply it to the problem of illegal behavior in the United States.
Abstract: 1. Introduction.- 2. The Constitutional Theory of Criminality.- 3. Crime and Personality.- 4. Criminality, Heredity, and Environment.- 5. A Biological Theory of Criminality.- 6. The Function and Effectiveness of Sentencing.- 7. The Prevention and Treatment of Illegal Behavior.- 8. Sexual Deviations.- 9. Summary and Conclusions.- References.
404 citations
Book•
27 Apr 1993
TL;DR: The Measurement and Distribution of Crime, Criminology, and Psychology as mentioned in this paper The Measurement of and distribution of crime, crime, and mental health disorders, and the effectiveness and ethics of intervention with offenders.
Abstract: Crime, Criminology, and Psychology. The Measurement and Distribution of Crime. Classification of Offenders. Social and Environmental Theories of Crime. Individually Oriented and Integrated Theories of Crime. Biological Correlates of Antisocial Behavior. Familial and Social Correlates of Crime. Personal Attributes of Offenders. Aggression and Violent Crime. Crime and Mental Disorder. Sexual Deviation and Sexual Offending. Forensic Psychology and the Offender. Psychological Interventions with Offenders. Treatment of Dangerous Offenders. The Effectiveness and Ethics of Intervention. References. Index.
373 citations