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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01 Jan 2008
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that none of these models singly is sufficient to guide the assessment and treatment of sexual offenders, and that an integrated model that draws on research and practice in the development of case formulation, is most likely to be effective in achieving the goals of reduced recidivism, risk reduction, and reduced rates of sexual victimisation.
Abstract: In this article we follow-up on previous works pertaining to separate models of sexual offending as these relate to assessment and treatment: the Good Lives Model of offender rehabilitation (Ward & Gannon, 2006; Ward & Stewart, 2003), the Self-Regulation Model of the sexual offence process (Ward & Hudson, 1998), and our reconstruction (Ward, Melser, & Yates, 2007) of the Risk/Need/Responsivity Model of correctional intervention (Andrews & Bonta, 2003). Recently, the Good Lives and Self-Regulation Models have been integrated into a combined approach to the treatment of sexual offenders (Ward, Yates, & Long, 2006; Yates & Ward, 2007). In this article, we fully integrate these models into a comprehensive case formulation approach for use in the assessment, treatment, and supervision of sexual offenders. We also reconstruct here the SelfRegulation Model based on shortcomings identified in the framework, application to practice since its development, and integration with the Good Lives Model. We argue that none of these models singly is sufficient to guide the assessment and treatment of sexual offenders, and that an integrated model that draws on research and practice in the development of case formulation, is most likely to be effective in achieving the goals of reduced recidivism, risk reduction, and reduced rates of sexual victimisation.
41 citations
Cites background or methods from "The Psychology of Criminal Conduct"
...Currently, the two main approaches to treatment include the Risk/Need/Responsivity model (RNR; Andrews & Bonta, 2003) and cognitive-behavioural intervention that aims to alter affect, cognition, and behaviour that are linked to sexually aggressive conduct (Marshall, Anderson, & Fernandez, 1999;…...
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...Briefly, the RNR model (Andrews & Bonta, 2003) suggests that correctional interventions will be most effective when they match the level of risk to re-offend posed by the individual (i.e., the risk principle), when intervention targets specific risk factors (criminogenic needs) that can be changed…...
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...…with current established practice, treatment intensity (length and frequency of contact) is varied to match the risk to re-offend posed by the individual, and targets known and empiricallysupported dynamic risk factors for change (Andrews & Bonta, 2003; Hanson, 2006; Hanson & Yates, 2004)....
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...…should address some non-criminogenic needs, as these both influence the manner in which the individual engages in treatment (i.e., responsivity; Andrews & Bonta, 2003; Marshall et al., 1999) and are important to the attainment of satisfaction and wellbeing (Ward & Gannon, 2006; Ward et al.,…...
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...Unstructured treatments have been shown to have no impact on recidivism rates (Andrews & Bonta, 2003), so obviously are not sufficient....
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TL;DR: The results reveal that high-risk youngsters had higher rates of antisocial behavior and lower levels of social skills (i.e., greater tendency to externalize attribution of responsibility, fewer conflict resolution strategies, lower self esteem, and a lower degrees of emotional intelligence) in comparison to the lower-risk group.
Abstract: Socialization in a neighborhood and community at risk, defined in terms of violence, social alienation, school failure, and disruptive behavior, is a risk factor for the acquisition of antisocial and delinquent behavior. In order to test this hypothesis and examine the underlying mechanisms involved, 346 participants, 155 high-risk and 191 low-risk, aged 11 to 13, that is, under the age of criminal responsibility as established by the Spanish Law 5/2000 were selected. The results reveal that high-risk youngsters had higher rates of antisocial behavior and lower levels of social skills (i.e., greater tendency to externalize attribution of responsibility, fewer conflict resolution strategies, lower self esteem, and a lower degrees of emotional intelligence) in comparison to the lower-risk group. Finally, the results and implications of the study are discussed in the light of designing prevention programs.
40 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the validity of a Swedish translation of the Measures of Criminal Attitudes and Associates (MCAA) was evaluated and it was concluded that the MCAA has satisfactory psychometric properties.
Abstract: The validity of a Swedish translation of the Measures of Criminal Attitudes and Associates (MCAA) was evaluated. All four subscales showed acceptable reliability, but the Entitlement scale can be improved by replacing items with low loadings. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a model with one common criminal attitude factor and three subfactors (corresponding to subscales of the test). The Antisocial Intent scale failed to come out as a separate factor. The criterion-related validity was evidenced through offenders having more positive attitudes to criminality than a sample from a public Internet site, a treatment program having an effect on the ratings, and test scores being meaningfully related to criminal history variables. It was concluded that the MCAA has satisfactory psychometric properties.
40 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that the pathways of offending appear to be more similar than different across sex, and that associating with delinquent peers is significantly related to baseline delinquency.
Abstract: A growing body of literature has recently emerged examining sex-specific pathways of offending. Yet, despite significant gains, this area of research is still rather underexplored. With a particular focus on the role of delinquent peers, this current study investigates the sex similarities/differences in offending trajectories among a large sample of urban Chicago male and female youth (n=3,038) from 6th through 8th grade (e.g., ages 12-14). The results suggest that the pathways of offending appear to be more similar than different across sex, and that associating with delinquent peers is significantly related to baseline delinquency. Furthermore, delinquent peers significantly distinguished the moderate and high-rate trajectory groups from the non-delinquents for both males and females, yet once estimated in a more fully specified model, the role of delinquent peers appeared to be indirect (operating through its effect on baseline delinquency). Study limitations and implications for theory and policy are also discussed.
40 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe the construction and validation of a new actuarial violence risk measure, the OASys Violence Predictor (OVP), using OASYS and Police National Computer data.
Abstract: The Offender Assessment System (OASys) is the risk assessment and management system routinely used in the National Offender Management Service (NOMS), the prison and probation service for England and Wales. This study describes the construction and validation of a new actuarial violence risk measure, the OASys Violence Predictor (OVP), using OASys and Police National Computer data. Ordinal logistic regression identifies static and dynamic risk factors predictive of violent recidivism among convicted offenders (N = 15,918). These form the basis of a user-friendly 100-point scale (OVP). OVP achieves significantly greater predictive validity than existing actuarial scores available within NOMS (the original OASys risk prediction score; the Offender Group Reconviction Scale, Version 3; and the V scale of the Risk Matrix 2000) on a later validation sample (N = 49,346). The discussion considers explanations for this improvement, examines the utility of dynamic risk factors in violence prediction, and describes ...
40 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