NCJ Number
102319
Date Published
1985
Length
167 pages
Annotation
This report describes the theoretical basis, goals, and design of a planned research program that will focus on an effort to evaluate, treat, and prevent relapse in a group of outpatient sex offenders seen in a community-based setting.
Abstract
The project rests on a learning model grounded in conditioning theory and social learning theory. Two of the major dependent variables in the research are the response of penile erection and the subjects' self-reports of deviant behavior. An analysis of existing research has resulted in the selection of physiological assessment procedures, self-report assessment procedures, behavioral treatment procedures, and cognitive treatment procedures to be used with the offenders. The participants will be 18 to 40 years old, of normal intelligence, in good physical health, and diagnosed as pedophiles. The experimental and control groups will each have 50 subjects. Baseline assessment will occur over 6 weeks, followed by 20 weeks of baseline treatment and further periods of assessment and treatment. The research plan also details staff training, data analysis methods, theoretical models, long-term followup, and the risks and benefits to the human subjects. 288 references, appended figures, tables, and copies of informed consent and confidentiality forms.