BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT ATTENDANCE AMONG YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS

• NCJ Number: 32182
• Journal: FCI RESEARCH REPORT Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Dated: (1971) Pages: COMPLETE ISSUE
• Author(s): G W HANSON
• Date Published: 1971
• Length: 20 pages
• Corporate Author: Florida State University
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

SYSTEMATIC APPLICATION OF BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION PRINCIPLES, IN WHICH PROMPT ATTENDANCE WAS REWARDED AND TARDINESS OR FAILURE TO REPORT WAS GIVEN NEGATIVE SOCIAL REINFORCEMENT.

Abstract

FAILURE OF INMATES TO KEEP APPOINTMENTS WITH CASEWORKERS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL POSES A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN CUSTODIAL INSTITUTIONS. EACH SUCH MISSED APPOINTMENT WASTES ABOUT 30 MINUTES OF STAFF TIME AND SUBJECTS THE INMATE TO DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES THAT MAY INTERRUPT HIS REGULAR PROGRAM OF TRAINING AND REHABILITATION. THIRTY-THREE INMATES WERE SELECTED, ALL OF WHOM HAD BEEN ABSENT OR TARDY FOR AT LEAST HALF OF THEIR FIRST NINE SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS WITH THEIR PSYCHOLOGIST. OF THESE SUBJECTS, 11 SERVED AS A CONTROL GROUP; THE REMAINING 22 WERE EXPOSED TO POSITIVE, NEUTRAL, AND NEGATIVE CONTINGENCIES TO DETERMINE THE TYPE OF REINFORCEMENT TO WHICH EACH SUBJECT WAS MOST RESPONSIVE. THE DATA SHOWED A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN PROMPTNESS AND RELIABILITY OF ATTENDANCE FOR SUBJECTS EXPOSED TO POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE CONTINGENCIES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)