Neuroscience
Contributed by Michael Pink at Totton College
Less is more was the message reported by Guy Bourgon & Barbara Armstrong who wanted to change the way criminals behaved and tested the effects that the length of treatment had on whether criminals were likely to re-offend.
Male offenders were assessed for the likeliness to re-offend before undergoing a treatment programme using the Level of Service Inventory. From this they were recommended for a 5, 10 or 15 week programme. However, to assess the usefulness of this system some inmates, for instance, were recommended for 5 but completed a 10 or a 15 week programme. All groups had an untreated comparison.
During the programme criminals were taught to change their negative attitudes and accept personal responsibility for their behaviour using a range of techniques (e.g. anger management and problem solving).
Those who were recommended and completed a 5 week programme had the lowest recidivism rate (12%). A similar pattern emerged for those recommended and completing the 10 week and week programmes. Those ‘mismatched’ (e.g. recommended 5 but had 10 weeks) had higher recidivism rates.
This shows that it is important for criminals to receive their recommended length of treatment to achieve the most effective reduction for recidivism. “In summary this study…provided evidence that ‘dosage’ or length of treatment, plays a significant role in reducing recidivism” stated Bourgon and Armstrong.
__________________________________
Bourgon, G. & Armstrong, B. (2005). Transferring the principles of effective treatment into a ‘real world’ prison setting. Criminal Justice and Behaviour, 32, 3-25.
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Neuroscience
Turning bad boys good
Contributed by Michael Pink at Totton College
Less is more was the message reported by Guy Bourgon & Barbara Armstrong who wanted to change the way criminals behaved and tested the effects that the length of treatment had on whether criminals were likely to re-offend.
Male offenders were assessed for the likeliness to re-offend before undergoing a treatment programme using the Level of Service Inventory. From this they were recommended for a 5, 10 or 15 week programme. However, to assess the usefulness of this system some inmates, for instance, were recommended for 5 but completed a 10 or a 15 week programme. All groups had an untreated comparison.
During the programme criminals were taught to change their negative attitudes and accept personal responsibility for their behaviour using a range of techniques (e.g. anger management and problem solving).
Those who were recommended and completed a 5 week programme had the lowest recidivism rate (12%). A similar pattern emerged for those recommended and completing the 10 week and week programmes. Those ‘mismatched’ (e.g. recommended 5 but had 10 weeks) had higher recidivism rates.
This shows that it is important for criminals to receive their recommended length of treatment to achieve the most effective reduction for recidivism. “In summary this study…provided evidence that ‘dosage’ or length of treatment, plays a significant role in reducing recidivism” stated Bourgon and Armstrong.
__________________________________
Bourgon, G. & Armstrong, B. (2005). Transferring the principles of effective treatment into a ‘real world’ prison setting. Criminal Justice and Behaviour, 32, 3-25.
- Sex Doesn't Sell
The late Mary Whitehouse, famed campaigner for traditional morals and decency, would have approved of this new study by Brad Bushman at the University of Michigan showing that adverts embedded in violent and/or sexual TV programmes are less effective...
- Social Phobia
People with social phobia dread social situations and live in fear of public embarrassment. Their anxiety often permeates all public activities, including eating out, or visiting a public lavatory. Research shows they catastrophise about social situations,...
- This Week's All In The Mind From Bbc Radio 4
This week's All in the Mind podcast from BBC Radio 4: Visit the show's webpage to listen or to download the episode From the webpage: "How can a good night's sleep improve your memory? Why does the answer to a crossword clue suddenly appear...
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Goetz CG. Scales to evaluate psychosis in Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism and Related Disorders. 2009 Dec; 15 Suppl 3, 38-341 Hallucinations and psychotic behaviors are a frequent non-motor aspect of Parkinson's disease and its treatment. These...
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From The New York Times:Wider Student Use Is Urged for New Meningitis Vaccine By LAWRENCE K. ALTMAN The New York Times Published: May 27, 2005 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended yesterday wider use of a new meningitis vaccine...