BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION - TOWARD THE UNDERSTANDING AND REFORM OF FEDERAL POLICY

• NCJ Number: 50923
• Journal: CORRECTIVE AND SOCIAL PSYCHIATRY AND JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL TECHNOLOGY METHODS AND THERAPY Volume: 23 Issue: 4 Dated: (1977) Pages: 101-110
• Author(s): R E DIGIACOMO
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 10 pages
• Corporate Author: Martin Psychiatric Research Foundation, Inc
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

ISSUES SURROUNDING THE USE OF BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION TECHNIQUES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS ARE REVIEWED, AND ALTERNATIVES TO THE LEAA'S 1974 MORATORIUM ON FUNDING PROJECTS INVOLVING BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION ARE SUGGESTED.

Abstract

THE CONFUSION SURROUNDING THE DEFINITION OF BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION IS DISCUSSED, WITH A VIEW TO IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICYMAKING. THE EXTENT OF FEDERAL INVOLVEMENT IN BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION PROGRAMS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND OTHER AREAS IS ESTIMATED. ETHICAL OBJECTIONS RAISED BY OPPONENTS OF BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION ARE SUMMARIZED, AS ARE LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES RAISED BY THE USE OF BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION TECHNIQUES. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT THE TENDENCY TOWARD AN EXCEEDINGLY BROAD AND INACCURATE DEFINITION OF BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION HAS RESULTED IN EXTREMELY DIVERSE TECHNIQUES OF TREATMENT (TOKEN ECONOMIES TO FRONTAL LOBOTOMY) BEING CONSIDERED IN ONE CATEGORY, WITH GOVERNMENT POLICY DICTATED ACCORDINGLY. THERE IS EXTENSIVE FEDERAL INVOLVEMENT IN BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION PROGRAMS, PARTICULARLY WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND THE VETERANS' ADMINISTRATION. ETHICAL OBJECTIONS TO BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION CENTER ON ISSUES OF PRIVACY AND FREEDOM. LEGAL ISSUES CONCERN INMATES' CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO PRIVACY, TO DUE PROCESS, AGAINST CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT, AND TO AND AGAINST TREATMENT. THE COURTS' AMBIGUITY AND LACK OF DIRECTION IN CASES INVOLVING BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION POINT UP THE LIMITATIONS OF STATUTORY AND CASE LAW FOR REGULATING AND CONTROLLING TREATMENT TECHNIQUES. THE USE OF PROFESSIONAL GUIDELINES IS SUGGESTED AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO LEGAL AND REGULATORY CONTROL OF THERAPY. A CODE OF ETHICS FOR BEHAVIORAL RESEARCH AND A BILL OF RIGHTS CONCERNING THERAPY FOR INVOLUNTARILY COMMITTED PERSONS ARE PROPOSED. A LIST OF REFERENCES AND A COPY OF LEAA GUIDELINE PROHIBITING FUNDING OF PSYCHOSURGERY AND MEDICAL RESEARCH (INCLUDING BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION) ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)