SOCIAL SKILLS TRAINING IN CORRECTIONAL TREATMENT - AN EDUCATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

• NCJ Number: 45480
• Author(s): D D GOODRICK; T REED
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 10 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PAPER PRESENTED AT THE 84TH ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, WASHINGTON, D.C. SEPTEMBER 6, 1976

Annotation

APPLICATIONS OF BEHAVIORAL TRAINING IN UNDERGRADUATE COURSES FOR SOCIOLOGY MAJORS, IN TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS, AND IN PARAPROFESSIONAL TRAINING FOR OFFENDERS ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

BEHAVIORAL TRAINING, WHICH IS ALSO KNOWN AS SOCIAL SKILLS TRAINING AND TRAINING IN EFFECTIVE LIVING, IS AN EDUCATIONAL APPROACH THAT SYSTEMATICALLY PROMOTES INTERPERSONAL COMPETENCE IN INDIVIDUALS. THROUGH THE USE OF MODELING, BEHAVIORAL REHEARSAL, AND ROLE PLAY, INDIVIDUALS ARE TAUGHT HOW TO DEAL MORE EFFECTIVELY WITH PROBLEMATIC SITUATIONS THAT PREVIOUSLY ELICITED SELF-DEFEATING RESPONSES. BEHAVIORAL TRAINING PROVIDES SIGNIFICANT THERAPEUTIC LEVERAGE IN HELPING CORRECTIONAL CLIENTS TO DEAL WITH SITUATIONS IN PRISON OR IN THE COMMUNITY. BEHAVIORAL TRAINING ALSO PROVIDES A MEANS OF IMPROVING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN OFFENDERS AND CORRECTIONAL STAFF MEMBERS AND, BY LENDING AN EDUCATIONAL ORIENTATION TO CORRECTIONAL TREATMENT, SERVES TO DEMYSTIFY CLINICAL INTERVENTION. THE RELEVANCE OF BEHAVIORAL TRAINING IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN BEHAVIORAL TRAINING AND BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION ARE DISCUSSED IN AN UNDERGRADUATE COURSE FOR SOCIAL SCIENCE MAJORS. STUDENTS HAVE RESPONDED FAVORABLY TO THE COURSE. BEHAVIORAL TRAINING TECHNIQUES HAVE BEEN USED IN A COURSE FOR CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS INTERESTED IN LEARNING INTERVIEW AND CRISIS INTERVENTION SKILLS. BEHAVIORAL TRAINING WAS ALSO PART OF A PROGRAM FOR COLLEGE-EDUCATED INMATES WHO VOLUNTEERED TO BECOME PARAPROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS.