NCJ Number
123432
Journal
Journal of Offender Counseling, Services and Rehabilitation Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: (1989) Pages: 143-160
Date Published
1989
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This experiment tested the hypothesis that a brief program of private and group meetings can influence criminals and delinquents to reduce their material aspirations, which may in turn reduce criminal acquisitive behaviors.
Abstract
Evidence and theory indicate that much crime and delinquency are motivated by criminals' desire for great wealth and status derived from wealth. Criminal behaviors associated with such desire may be reduced by increasing opportunities for the legitimate acquisition of wealth, moderating material aspirations, or achieving a combination of these two factors. The program assessed in this study attempted to moderate the material aspirations of a sample of delinquents and adult offenders residing in a county jail and juvenile detention facilities in western Massachusetts. The experimental treatment consisted of eight 2-hour sessions that guided participants in thinking about budgets for various lifestyles and the money they needed to live comfortably. The program aimed to influence participants to find a modest lifestyle acceptable if not ideal. There was no overt denunciation of materialism or lecturing on the virtues of the frugal life. Pretesting and posttesting indicated that participants' median choice of an income they considered large enough for a "comfortable" life decreased slightly by the end of the program. Implications are drawn for future programs and evaluations in this area. 1 table, 1 figure, 5 references. (Author abstract modified)