Causal Theory and the Treatment of Juvenile Offenders - A Case Study (From Advances in Forensic Psychology and Psychiatry, V 1, P 49-63, 1984, by Robert W Rieber, ed. - See NCJ-100229)

• NCJ Number: 100231
• Author(s): J O Finckenauer; D S Kochis
• Date Published: 1984
• Length: 15 pages
• Sale Source: Ablex Publishing Corporation
• Publication Type: Research (Theoretical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper describes the criminal personality theory and its operationalization in a program for violent juvenile offenders near Allentown, Pa. (Weaversville).

Abstract

Samenow and Yochelson developed the theory of criminal personality, which holds that criminals have distinctive thought patterns preventing their responsible living. The primary treatment implication of the theory is that a new thinking pattern must be presented to the offender. The offender must then choose to make the new, responsible thinking pattern an habitual part of daily decisionmaking. Weaversville implements the criminal personality theory through a structured combination of reality therapy, behavior modification, and the correction of thinking errors. Two internal studies of program outcomes have been conducted by the staff. The first focused on 117 boys who left the program between 1976 and 1980. Forty-eight percent were successful in not being arrested or convicted for a new offense within 1 year. A 1981 study showed that of 27 boys who completed the program, 66 percent had no rearrests within 6 months. The findings are impressive because the boys had a history of failed treatment in other institutions. Future research, however, should use comparison groups. 17 references.