METAMORPHOSIS OF OFFENDERS - FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF A DOCTRINE OF TREATMENT

• NCJ Number: 15832
• Author(s): S W Engel
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 414 pages
• Sale Source: P O B 1304
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: German
• Country: West Germany (Former)

Annotation

DISCUSSION OF THE USE OF PSYCHOTHERAPY IN OFFENDER TREATMENT TOGETHER WITH A METHOD FOR ANALYZING OFFENDER DEVELOPMENT.

Abstract

ACCORDING TO THE AUTHOR, HUMAN BEHAVIOR IS NOT SHAPELESS, ACCIDENTAL, OR INEVITABLE. IT IS THE RESULT OF THE INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL FORCES EXERTED UPON THE INDIVIDUAL. THE EXTENT TO WHICH THESE FORCES ARE CONSTRUCTIVE OR DESTRUCTIVE WILL DETERMINE ITS NATURE AND ITS LEGALITY OR ILLEGALITY. IN DIAGNOSING CRIMINALITY, THE AUTHOR ARGUES THAT ONE MUST TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION BOTH THE IMPULSIVENESS OF BEHAVIOR AND THE DIMENSION OF TIME. IN DISCUSSING THE USE OF PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC TECHNIQUES TO MODIFY BEHAVIOR, THE AUTHOR STRESSES THE NEED TO FOCUS UPON THE OFFENDER'S VALUES, SELF CONCEPT, INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, AND SPECIFIC BEHAVIOR. THE USE OF GROUP, EXPRESSIVE AND STRUCTURING THERAPIES AS TECHNIQUES IS ILLUSTRATED THROUGH CASE HISTORIES. HOW THE SOCIAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, CRIMINAL, AND THERAPEUTIC DEVELOPMENT OF AN OFFENDER MAY BE DIAGRAMMED IS EXPLAINED. FINALLY, A METHOD FOR PREDICTING RECIDIVISM OR LAW-ABIDING BEHAVIOR IN INDIVIDUAL CASES IS PRESENTED. --IN GERMAN