NCJ Number
65069
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 23 Issue: 2 Dated: (1979) Pages: 117-128
Date Published
1979
Length
12 pages
Annotation
POSITIVE OUTCOMES RESEARCH ABANDONS TRADITIONAL STRATEGIES FOR PROBING DELINQUENCY AND INSTEAD FOCUSES ON REASONS FOR CHANGE IN REFORMED DELINQUENTS. A LIFE EVENTS MODEL IS SUGGESTED FOR THIS TYPE OF RESEARCH.
Abstract
THIS RESEARCH HAS ITS ROOTS IN SUCH STUDIES AS THOSE DONE BY THE GLUECKS PRIOR TO WORLD WAR II WHICH TIED DELINQUENCY REFORMATION TO A BIOLOGICAL PROCESS (DELINQUENTS REFORM AFTER PASSAGE OF A CERTAIN LENGTH OF TIME FROM POINT OF ONSET OF DELINQUENCY) TOGETHER WITH SOCIAL STABILITY AND HIGH INTELLIGENCE AND THE CAMBRIDGE STUDY THAT SUGGESTED AN ACTIVE DECISION ON THE PART OF THE DELINQUENT TO REFORM BROUGHT ABOUT BY SOME IMPORTANT LIFE EVENT. THESE AND LATER STUDIES BROUGHT THE STATE-OF-THE ART TO ITS PRESENT POINT. THE RESEARCH INDICATES THAT FAVORABLE OUTCOMES FOR DELINQUENTS RESULT (1) BECAUSE THE CHILD IS BETTER CIRCUMSTANCED THAN THE AVERAGE DELINQUENT; (2) A CONSCIOUS ATTEMPT IS MADE TO TERMINATE DEVIANT ACTIVITIES; (3) THE THREAT OF FURTHER PUNISHMENT OR A FAVORABLE INSTITUTIONAL EXPERIENCE MODIFIES BEHAVIOR; (4) 'SIGNIFICANT OTHERS' PROVIDE SUPPORT AND SUPERVISION; AND (5) DEVIANT BEHAVIOR TENDS TO RECEDE AFTER THE 25TH BIRTHDAY. HOWEVER, POSITIVE OUTCOME RESEARCH IS IN ITS EARLY STAGES WITH MUCH WORK STILL AHEAD, AND RESEARCH METHODS ARE IN THE PROCESS OF BEING DEVELOPED. A RECOMMENDED MODEL FOR POSITIVE OUTCOMES RESEARCH IS THE LIFE EVENTS METHODS, POSITING THAT DELINQUENTS WHO MODIFY THEIR BEHAVIOR DO SO BECAUSE OF PARTICULAR PERSONS AND EVENTS THAT IMPACT THEIR LIVES. IMPORTANCE LIES IN THE INDIVIDUAL'S RECOGNITION OF A LIFE EVENT OR RELATIONSHIP AS BEING SIGNIFICANT. AS A TEST OF THE FACILITY OF THE MODEL, 10 FORMERLY ADJUDICATED AND INSTITUTIONALIZED DELINQUENTS WHO HAD NO CRIMINAL JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT IN THE LAST 5 YEARS ARE BEING INTERVIEWED REGARDING THEIR INTERPRETATIONS OF THEIR LIFE EVENTS AND RELATIONSHIPS. THE SUBJECTS' OFFICIAL RECORDS ARE ALSO USED IN THE INTERVIEWS. THE PROJECT DIRECTOR AND THE INTERVIEWER ARE BOTH 'POSITIVE OUTCOMES' INDIVIDUALS, SELECTED IN THE BELIEF THAT THEIR EXPERIENCES WILL AID SHARING IN THE INTERVIEWS. RESPONDENTS ARE ASKED TO GIVE FEEDBACK AS TO THE LOGISTICS OF THE INTERVIEWS AND THE SUBJECTS DISCUSSED. THE MODEL IS EXPECTED TO YIELD VALUABLE INSIGHTS REGARDING THE DYNAMICS OF POSITIVE OUTCOMES. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)