NCJ Number
48937
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 22 Issue: 1 Dated: (1978) Pages: 56-67
Date Published
1978
Length
12 pages
Annotation
BEHAVIORS INVOLVED IN SPECIFIC CRIMES ARE DISCUSSED AS THE PRODUCTS OF SPECIFIC PSYCHOSOCIAL SYSTEMS, WHICH ARE IDENTIFIED FOR INDIVIDUAL OFFENSES.
Abstract
IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO BLOCK THE PSYCHOSOCIAL SYSTEMS THAT PRODUCE A PARTICULAR DEVIANT BEHAVIOR. SUCH BLOCKING BE ABLE TO INHIBIT THE BEHAVIOR LONG ENOUGH TO ALLOW THE TREATMENT REQUIRED FOR LASTING REHABILITATIVE CHANGE. THIS APPROACH OPERATES ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT AN OFFENSE RESULTS FROM AN INAPPROPRIATE SYSTEM PRECURSOR BECOMING ACTIVATED AND THEREFORE, IF SYSTEM FORMATION DOES NOT OCCUR, THEN THERE SHOULD BE NO CRIME. THERE ARE BELIEVED TO BE SPECIFIC SYSTEM PRECURSORS FOR SPECIFIC CRIMES OR SETS OF CRIMES. THE CONCEPT OF THIS SYSTEM PRECURSOR VIEW BEGAN WITH THE TREATMENT OF EXHIBITIONISM. IN THE CASE OF THIS OFFENSE, THE FIRST SYSTEM PRECURSOR WAS FOUND TO BE ANGER AT MOTHER, GENERALIZED TO WOMEN, WITH VERBAL EXPRESSION OF IT BEING BLOCKED. BLOCKING AND REPAIRING CONSISTS OF OPENING UP VERBAL EXPRESSIONS OF HOSTILITY AND ANNOYANCE, WHICH WAS FOUND TO BOTH BLOCK EXHIBITIONIST BEHAVIOR AND OPEN UP A NEW FUNCTIONAL SYSTEM. SYSTEM PRECURSORS ARE DESCRIBED FOR THE FOLLOWING OFFENSES:RUNAWAY GIRLS AND BOYS, BREAKING AND ENTERING;SHOPLIFTER;STEALING;MALICIOUS DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY;ARSON;DELINQUENT GANG BEHAVIOR;CHILD MOLESTERS; RAPE;CAR THEFT;PROMISCUITY AND PROSTITUTION AMONG JUVENILE GIRLS;ASSAULT AND BATTERY;ARMED ROBBERY; HOMICIDE;DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL; STUBBORN CHILD; TRUANCY; AND POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED.(RCB)