NCJ Number
19312
Journal
LAW IN AMERICAN SOCIETY Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: (MAY 1975) Pages: 3-9
Date Published
1975
Length
7 pages
Annotation
STRUCTURED LEARNING TECHNIQUES OF BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION, AS DISTINGUISHED FROM SURGICAL OR CHEMICAL ALTERATION AND GENETIC SCREENING, ARE DISCUSSED IN TERMS OF THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF FORMULATING AND ADMINISTERING THEM.
Abstract
THE ARTICLE EXPLAINS THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE TWO TYPES OF TECHNIQUE CITED ABOVE. IN REVIEWING THE LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS OF ADMINISTERING PUBLIC STRUCTURED LEARNING PROGRAMS (THOSE WHICH RESTRUCTURE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTS TO INFLUENCE BEHAVIOR CHANGE), IT TOUCHES ON SUCH POINTS AS NEED FOR TREATMENT, SELECTION PROCESS FOR TREATMENT, DECEPTION OF PARTICIPANTS, COERCION AND CONSENT, AND PROPRIETY (AND THEREBY, LEGALITY) OF A PROGRAM'S GOALS. IN RESPECT TO THIS LAST POINT, THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT THE MOST JUSTIFIABLE TREATMENT GOAL SHOULD BE 'TO PRODUCE A HAPPY, FUNCTIONING PERSON FREE FROM STATE INTERFERENCE'.