Social and Political Challenges to Behavioral Programs with Delinquents and Criminals (From Behavioral Approaches to Crime and Delinquency: A Handbook of Application, Research, and Concepts, P 577-596, 1987, Edward K Morris and Curtis J Braukmann, eds -- See NCJ-111159)

• NCJ Number: 111181
• Author(s): J D Burchard
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 29 pages
• Sale Source: Plenum Press
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter discusses the need for behavioral therapists to be aware not only of therapeutic contingencies but also of social and political contingencies impacting on unlawful behavior.

Abstract

Although therapeutic and social and political contingencies are alike in that they are designed to prevent or eliminate unlawful behavior, they differ in terms of power and influence. Therapeutic contingencies are designed and administered by professionals trained in the philosophy and technology of behavioral change. Social and political contingencies are laws, regulations, or policies designed to change or influence the frequency of unlawful behavior. In order to facilitate the use of behavior therapy with offenders, behavior therapists must examine and evaluate social and political contingencies. Four social-political contingencies are discussed and analyzed: the training school contingency; the diversion contingency; the intensive supervision contingency; and the funding contingency, an indirect contingency that enables all direct professional and social-political contingencies to exist. If social-political contingencies are to be effective in diminishing unlawful behavior, they must be evaluated by behavior therapists. By taking an active role in helping to shape social-political contingencies, behavior therapists can advance the treatment and modification of delinquent and criminal behavior. 52 references.