NCJ Number
212252
Journal
Legal and Criminological Psychology Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Dated: September 2005 Pages: 157-171
Date Published
September 2005
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This paper assesses the utility for changing criminal behavior of the transtheoretical model (TTM) of change, which is a widely used model for behavioral change in the treatment of addictive and/or problem behaviors.
Abstract
According to the TTM, attempts to change problem behavior generally involve a progression through an invariant sequence of change stages characterized by different attitudes, thoughts, beliefs, and values regarding the change process, accompanied by behavioral and change strategies. One fundamental premise of the model is that change is seldom a sudden event; rather, it is a process that typically involves a prescribed chain of events. The TTM is a model of intentional change, with a focus on the decisionmaking process of the individual. The model suggests that change can occur with or without therapeutic intervention. The application of the TTM to criminal offenders involves a number of issues related to the process of behavioral change through treatment programs. The authors argue that although the TTM has been designed to explain the modification of high-frequency behavior (e.g., smoking and alcohol abuse), criminal behavior may be less frequent and the process of change less cyclical. Further, the most important issue in a treatment context is the proper integration of the TTM constructs. Few empirical tests have examined this aspect of the model. The authors conclude that although the TTM may have value in explaining how rehabilitation programs help offenders to change their behavior, the stages-of-change construct is, by itself, unlikely to provide an adequate explanation of the process by which offenders stop their criminal behavior. 72 references