BEHAVIORAL ENGINEERING AND THE DELINQUENT SOLDIER (FROM AMERICAN CORRECTIONAL ASSOCIATION - PROCEEDINGS OF THE NINETY-NINTH ANNUAL CONGRESS OF CORRECTION SEE NCJ-02839)

• NCJ Number: 10097
• Author(s): S J STAYER
• Date Published: 1969
• Length: 9 pages
• Corporate Author: American Correctional Association
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PAPER PRESENTED AT ACA MEETING, MINNEAPOLIS, MN, AUG 17-22, 1969

Annotation

THEORY AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN EXPERIMENTAL APPLICATION OF OPERANT TECHNIQUES TO THE TREATMENT OF SOLDIERS WITH CHARACTER AND BEHAVIOR DISORDERS.

Abstract

THE EXPERIMENT, CONDUCTED IN AN ANNEX OF WALTER REED HOSPITAL, USES A MICRO-ECONOMY SYSTEM IN WHICH SECONDARY REINFORCEMENT, REPRESENTED IN POINTS, IS MADE CONTINGENT UPON RESPONSE WITH APPROPRIATE PRESCRIBED BEHAVIORS. THE POINT ECONOMY, THEN, IS A CONTINGENCY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN WHICH POINTS ARE GIVEN, WITHHELD, OR TAKEN AWAY AS A RESULT OF AN INDIVIDUAL'S BEHAVIOR. A SOLDIER USES HIS POINTS TO PURCHASE IMPROVEMENTS FOR HIS QUARTERS, PERSONAL ARTICLES, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, LEAVE PASSES, AND EVEN INDIVIDUAL THERAPY SESSIONS WITH THE PSYCHIATRIST OR CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST. THE POINT EARNING SYSTEM AND THE VARIOUS LEARNING PROGRAMS OFFERED ARE DESCRIBED. EVALUATION OF THE WARD HAS SHOWN IT TO BE A SUCCESSFUL BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION TECHNIQUE. RESULTS INDICATE THAT IT COULD BE EFFECTIVE IN THE NORMAL PRISON SETTING WITH A SIGNIFICANT LEVEL OF DEPRIVATION IN WHICH COMMON CONVENIENCES, COMFORTS, AND PRIVILEGES ARE POWERFUL MOTIVATING FACTORS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)