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Rule-Governed Behavior and Pedophilia

NCJ Number
167677
Journal
Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment Volume: 8 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1996) Pages: 143-159
Author(s)
J J Plaud; D E Newberry
Date Published
1996
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This article analyzes the fundamental aspects of rule-governed behavior, summarizes current research in the area, explores some of the research methods and issues involved, and examines the use of rule-governed behavior in psychological assessments with pedophiles and other sexual offenders.
Abstract
The experimental analysis of verbal and rule-governed behavior is one area that potentially has much relevance to applied clinical settings, including the assessment and treatment of pedophilia and other sexual offenses. Since 1957, however, not much systematic clinical research concerning verbal behavior has been integrated into clinical practice. The article explores the potential of this area of behavioral psychology to provide important alternatives to explanations offered by cognitive psychology. Rule-governed behavior is behavior controlled by verbal specification of environmental contingencies. Rules specify a relationship between behavior and consequence. Rule-governed behavior can be used in psychological therapy and assessment, for example, to inquire about antecedents to sexual offending, offering a promising way to understand, manipulate, and change the complex contingencies associated with sexual offending. References

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