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3.3 Forensic psychology > Problem 5: Interventions with offenders > Flashcards

Problem 5: Interventions with offenders Flashcards

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1
Q

What was the “nothing works” narrative, and how did it originate?

A

The “nothing works” narrative arose from early critiques of correctional treatment, notably Martinson’s 1974 report, which suggested limited effectiveness of rehabilitation programs. Misinterpretations of this report fueled skepticism despite evidence that many programs showed positive outcomes.

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2
Q

What did Gendreau and Ross (1979) demonstrate about correctional treatment?

A

They reviewed studies from 1973–1978, finding that 86% of evaluations showed favorable outcomes, challenging the “nothing works” claim and emphasizing the potential of evidence-based treatment.

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3
Q

How does the RNR (Risk-Need-Responsivity) model address the limitations of earlier correctional approaches?

A

The RNR model ensures interventions:

  1. Match offender risk level (Risk).
  2. Target criminogenic needs (Need).
  3. Adapt to individual characteristics (Responsivity).

This framework enhances treatment outcomes by focusing on evidence-based practices.

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4
Q

What are the key findings from the 1990 Andrews meta-analysis?

A
  1. Programs adhering to RNR principles showed significant recidivism reduction.
  2. Community-based programs were more effective than custodial settings.
  3. Inappropriate programs (e.g., deterrence-based) often increased recidivism.
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5
Q

What did Lipsey’s 2009 meta-analysis reveal about effective interventions?

A
  1. Therapeutic approaches (e.g., counseling) outperformed control-based methods (e.g., deterrence).
  2. Cognitive-behavioral programs were most effective.
  3. Implementation quality and community-based settings enhanced outcomes.
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6
Q

What is the Relationship Principle in GPCSL-informed interventions?

A

Effective interpersonal influence arises through:
* Warm, open, and non-blaming communication.
* Mutual respect and trust.
* Positive modeling and reinforcement of prosocial behavior.

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7
Q

What is the Structuring Principle in offender interventions?

A

Behavioral influence depends on:
* Content of communication.
* Reinforcement and modeling of prosocial behaviors.
* Techniques like cognitive restructuring and motivational interviewing to guide learning.

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8
Q

Which factors are integrated in effective programs?

A
  1. Targeting Criminogenic Needs: Focus on changeable factors that impact criminal behavior.
  2. Delivering Effective Services: Use relationship and structuring principles to influence behavior.
  3. Building Supportive Structures: Train staff to align with program goals.
  4. Case Matching: Match programs to clients based on risk, need, and responsivity.
  5. Ethical and Cost-Effective Conduct: Maintain justice and fairness while ensuring practicality.
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9
Q

What are the two categories of real-world programs studied for RNR adherence?

A
  1. Mixed Programs: Evaluator involved or more than 100 cases.
  2. Real-World/Routine Programs: More than 100 cases, with no evaluator involvement.
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10
Q

What does the “allegiance effect” refer to in program evaluation?

A

The phenomenon where evaluator involvement correlates with larger effect sizes due to:
1. Biased reporting.
2. Enhanced quality control and fidelity.
3. Superior program design (smart intervention interpretation).

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11
Q

How does evaluator involvement impact program success rates?

A

Evaluator involvement: 61.8% success rate.

No evaluator involvement: 38.3% success rate.

Suggests the importance of maintaining fidelity and quality control in program implementation.
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12
Q

What factors affect the predictive validity of well-validated tools like the LS instruments?

A
  1. Resistance to Change: Use of outdated, non-predictive tools like Rorschach tests.
  2. Allegiance Effect: Improved results with evaluator involvement due to better fidelity and administration.
  3. Organizational Integrity: Staff training, monitoring, and adherence to protocols are critical for success.
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13
Q

What are the common reasons for the failure of successful correctional programs?

A

Failures often stem from poor implementation, including:
* Inadequate assessment of risk levels and criminogenic needs.
* Misaligned treatment intensity with offender needs.
* Insufficient training and supervision of staff in relationship and structuring skills.

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14
Q

What are some major barriers to adhering to the RNR principles in correctional settings?

A
  1. Role Adjustment: Resistance to shifting from punishment to a human service approach.
  2. Counselor Alignment: Misaligned focus on anxiety reduction or self-esteem rather than recidivism.
  3. Skill Development: Need for staff training in RNR assessments and service delivery.
  4. System Interference: Judges assigning low-risk offenders to intensive programs.
  5. Staff Quality: Challenges in selecting, training, and supervising skilled staff.
  6. Engagement of Higher-Risk Offenders: Addressing barriers to participation and retention.
  7. Supervisory Gaps: Supervisors lacking expertise to maintain program fidelity.
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15
Q

What role does staff quality play in program success?

A

Program success depends on:
* Selecting staff with relationship and structuring skills.
* Providing robust training and supervision.
* Offering ongoing reinforcement and support for high performance.

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16
Q

What is the Correctional Program Assessment Inventory-2010 (CPAI-2010)?

A

A structured checklist used to:
* Evaluate adherence to the RNR model.
* Score program quality through interviews, document reviews, and staff-client interaction observations.
* Correlate higher scores with lower recidivism rates.

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17
Q

What strategies can improve engagement with higher-risk offenders?

A
  • Remove barriers and leverage offenders’ strengths.
  • Address motivational issues and respect autonomy.
  • Use tailored approaches to retain their participation in programs.
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18
Q

What are procriminal expressions, and how do they influence behavior?

A

Procriminal expressions include:
* Negative attitudes toward the law, courts, and police.

  • Tolerance for rule violations.
  • Identification with offenders.
  • Endorsement of justifications for crime.

They normalize and reinforce criminal behavior by rationalizing and excusing illegal actions

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19
Q

What is the “4-to-1 rule” in correctional counseling?

A

For every punishing or disapproving statement, give at least four positive supportive statements to maintain trust, engagement, and motivation.

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19
Q

What are prosocial expressions, and how do they counter criminal behavior?

A

Prosocial expressions include:
* Emphasizing the negative consequences of crime for offenders, victims, and the community.

  • Rejecting or placing realistic limits on rationalizations for crime.
  • Highlighting risks of associating with criminal individuals or belief systems.

They guide offenders toward accountability and positive behavioral change.

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20
Q

What are the steps for delivering effective reinforcement in correctional counseling?

A
  1. Provide strong, immediate approval for positive actions or statements.
  2. Elaborate on the reasons for your approval.
  3. Make the expression of support intense enough to stand out from regular interactions.
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21
Q

What are the steps for delivering effective disapproval in correctional counseling?

A
  1. Use strong, immediate statements of disapproval (including nonverbal cues like frowning).
  2. Elaborate on why you disagree or disapprove.
  3. Suggest a prosocial alternative behavior.
  4. Reduce disapproval and reintroduce approval as the client approximates prosocial behavior.
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22
Q

How does cognitive restructuring help offenders change their behavior?

A

It helps clients understand that “what I think” leads to “what I do”.

Encourages personal responsibility and control over behavior.

Guides clients to replace criminal rationalizations (e.g., “the owner is insured”) with prosocial thinking (e.g., “the owner worked hard for this”).

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23
Q

What are the key elements of skill building in correctional counseling?

A
  1. Describe the components of the skill in detail.
  2. Model or demonstrate the skill.
  3. Arrange for reinforced practice through role-playing with feedback.
  4. Assign homework to extend learning.
  5. Provide ongoing opportunities to enhance the skill.
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24
Q

What are the goals of structuring factors in correctional counseling?

A

Model prosocial behaviors clearly and vividly.

Reinforce positive actions and offer alternatives to criminal behaviors.

Guide offenders toward sustainable, prosocial lifestyles.

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25
Q

What are the common elements across STICS, STARR, and EPICS training programs?

A
  1. Focus on procriminal attitudes and criminogenic needs.
  2. Use of cognitive-behavioral techniques.
  3. Emphasis on structured, meaningful officer–client interactions.
  4. Regular training, clinical supervision, and refresher workshops.
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26
Q

What are the broader implications of cost-benefit analyses in offender treatment?

A
  1. Effective treatments reduce recidivism, saving costs associated with incarceration and victimization.
  2. Programs adhering to evidence-based models like RNR yield substantial financial and societal benefits.
  3. High-fidelity implementation is critical for maximizing economic returns.
27
Q

Why is fidelity important in programs like EPICS and RNR-based interventions?

A

Fidelity ensures:
1. Proper alignment with evidence-based principles.

  1. Effective delivery of services targeting criminogenic needs.
  2. Better outcomes, such as reduced recidivism and cost savings.
28
Q

Who originally conceptualized the therapeutic alliance (TA) and what did it involve?

A

Freud (1913): Conceptualized TA as positive transference, granting therapists authority and client trust.

Greenson (1965): Expanded TA to include:
1. Transference relationship (unconscious processes).
2. “Real” relationship (actual therapist-client interactions).
3. Working alliance (collaborative partnership).

29
Q

What are the three components of Bordin’s (1979) Working Alliance (WA)?

A
  1. Agreement on goals: Collaborative definition of therapy objectives.
  2. Collaboration on tasks: Agreement on activities required to achieve goals.
  3. Bond: Relational connection fostering trust and collaboration.
30
Q

What are the four propositions of Bordin’s theory of WA?

A
  1. Universality of WA: Present in all therapy types, though it varies.
  2. Impact on effectiveness: WA strength influences therapy outcomes.
  3. Therapy-specific demands: Different therapies require unique therapist-client efforts.
  4. Influence of personal characteristics: Success depends on therapist-client alignment with WA demands.
31
Q

How does Bordin’s WA theory apply across different therapies?

A

Behavioral therapy: Focuses on external tasks, requiring more therapist direction.

Psychodynamic therapy: Demands introspection, requiring stronger trust and attachment.

32
Q

What tool was inspired by Bordin’s WA theory, and what does it measure?

A

The Working Alliance Inventory (WAI), which measures the strength of goals, tasks, and bonds, and predicts therapy outcomes.

33
Q

Why is Bordin’s theory considered a milestone in psychotherapy research?

A

Unified diverse therapies under a common framework.

Emphasized collaboration, trust, and mutual understanding in therapy.

Provided practical insights for improving therapy outcomes.

34
Q

What influences therapist-client interactions during therapy?

A

Stable personal and interpersonal traits shape perception and responses.

Interactions are influenced by current goals, creating affective and behavioral cycles.

Contextual factors also play a role.

35
Q

How do therapist characteristics affect the therapeutic alliance (TA)?

A

Personal traits: warmth, empathy, genuineness, and secure attachment enhance TA.

Excessive confrontation harms the alliance, while thoughtful self-disclosure helps.

Preconceptions or emotional strain may lead to detachment, undermining the bond.

36
Q

How do client characteristics influence the TA?

A

Personality traits: Submissive and friendly clients often form stronger alliances, while hostile clients struggle.

Secure attachment styles and strong social support foster better TAs.

Expectations and motivation, especially pre-treatment readiness, are key predictors.

37
Q

What challenges do offenders bring to therapy?

A

Disrupted attachment patterns and low expectations due to institutional experiences.

Skepticism about forming meaningful relationships.

Resistance to externally imposed therapy goals.

38
Q

How do client and therapist characteristics interact in therapy?

A

Value alignment enhances the TA over time.

Interpersonal schemas can create negative cycles if not disrupted.

Clients’ perceptions of therapists’ empathy, focus, and confidence strongly influence the alliance.

39
Q

What is the role of emotions in the TA?

A

Clients must access and reflect on emotions to engage meaningfully.

Therapists must manage client and personal emotions constructively.

Unmanaged emotions in therapists can impair the alliance.

40
Q

How do custodial correctional settings impact therapy?

A

Punitive environments and inmate cultures discourage openness and self-disclosure.

Custodial staff may undermine therapeutic goals.

Therapeutic Communities (TCs) can provide supportive environments for better TAs.

41
Q

What are the challenges of therapy in correctional systems?

A

Mandatory treatment undermines client autonomy and trust.

Timing of therapy may mismatch offender goals (e.g., late in sentence).

Therapists face high workloads and lack support, impacting their motivation.

42
Q

How does the immediate therapy environment affect the TA?

A

Limited privacy, time pressures, and punitive atmospheres hinder the TA.

Positive environments like Therapeutic Communities foster better alliances.

External relationships, such as family or peers, can either support or undermine therapy.

43
Q

What is the Good Lives Model (GLM), and how does it improve therapy?

A

GLM focuses on primary human goods valued by clients, aligning therapy goals with aspirations.

Promotes engagement and stronger TAs by addressing offenders’ broader well-being.

Offers a strength-based alternative to traditional risk-reduction models.

44
Q

How does risk-reduction ideology impact the therapeutic process?

A

Depersonalization of clients undermines autonomy and engagement.

Focus on deficiencies can heighten hopelessness and weaken the TA.

Narrow goals may dismiss broader client aspirations like well-being or relationships.

45
Q

What are common challenges in group treatment settings?

A

Balancing group climate with individual alliances.

Managing disruptive clients with traits like narcissism or borderline tendencies.

Strict adherence to manuals may undermine responsivity and credibility.

46
Q

What are the general principles of the revised theory of the TA?

A

Dynamic Nature: TA is a process and an entity involving reciprocal interactions between therapist and client.

Expanded Framework: Builds on Bordin’s goals, tasks, and bond while integrating therapist-client variables and systemic influences.

47
Q

What are the key therapist variables in the revised TA theory?

A
  1. Personal Characteristics:
    * Stable traits like warmth and attachment style impact the bond.
    * Interpersonal schemas from past experiences shape behavior interpretation.
  2. Professional Skills:
    * Skills in goal-setting, task development, and bond repair.
    * Managing difficult clients is critical, especially in correctional settings.
  3. Goals and Expectations:
    * Realistic but optimistic expectations about client progress maintain engagement.
48
Q

How do client variables influence the TA in the revised TA theory?

A
  1. Personal Characteristics:
    * Traits like irritability or attachment issues affect the bond.
  2. Therapy-Related Competencies:
    * Literacy, emotional stability, and intellectual functioning support engagement.
    * Motivation and readiness are key for forming a strong TA.
  3. Goals and Expectations:
    * Unrealistic or overly skeptical goals can lead to ruptures.
    * Belief in change grows through a meaningful therapist bond.
49
Q

What external factors affect the TA in the revised TA theory?

A
  1. Systemic Factors:
    * Policies like mandatory therapy can reduce client willingness.
    * Role conflicts (e.g., punitive tasks) undermine trust.
  2. Therapeutic Environment:
    * Hostile or unsupportive settings hinder the TA.
    * Supportive environments like therapeutic communities enhance alliance building.
50
Q

How does the RTTA expand the scope of Bordin’s theory?

A

Includes therapist and client variables like attachment styles and professional skills.

Addresses contextual and systemic factors, such as correctional settings and institutional policies.

Explores dynamic in-therapy interactions and goal/task negotiation.

51
Q

What is the overall conclusion about the RTTA?

A

Conceptually improves on Bordin’s theory by expanding scope and explanatory power.

Requires empirical validation to confirm predictions and assess practical utility.

Provokes further research into the TA in challenging contexts, particularly offender rehabilitation.

52
Q

What are the key predictors of sexual recidivism according to Hanson & Morton-Bourgon (2005)?

A

Deviant sexual interests, sexual preoccupation, and antisocial traits (e.g., impulsivity, hostility).

53
Q

How does denial interact with risk level and victim relationship type?

A

Low-Risk Offenders: Denial linked to higher recidivism.

High-Risk Offenders: Denial linked to lower recidivism.

Incest Offenders: Denial linked to higher recidivism.

Unrelated Victim Offenders: Denial linked to lower recidivism (results inconsistent).

54
Q

How does denial act as a responsivity factor?

A

Denial may interfere with treatment but is not a primary risk factor.

Responsivity-based approaches can help engage deniers in treatment.

55
Q

What are cognitive distortions, and how do they relate to denial?

A

Cognitive distortions are justifications or excuses for behavior (e.g., minimizing harm, externalizing blame).

They are common in offenders but also reflect broader human tendencies.

56
Q

What are some reasons offenders might deny their actions?

A

Misperceptions of victim behavior (e.g., misinterpreting cues).

Misunderstandings about planning or fantasy involvement.

Minimization or inaccurate recall of actions.

57
Q

What are cognitive schema, and how do they influence behavior?

A

Cognitive schema are mental frameworks containing beliefs, attitudes, and assumptions about oneself, others, and the world.

They guide emotional and behavioral responses by interpreting stimuli and seeking confirmatory evidence while dismissing conflicting information.

58
Q

How do schema relate to sexual offending?

A

Sexual offenders may have schema related to entitlement, hostility, victimhood, or disrespect for women/children, leading to biased interpretations that justify or rationalize offending behavior.

59
Q

What are cognitive distortions, and how do they differ from schema?

A

Cognitive distortions (e.g., denial, minimization, justification) are outputs of cognitive schema during information processing.

Schema are the underlying structures shaping perceptions; distortions are their manifestations.

60
Q

What are some functions of denial?

A

Protective function: Helps maintain self-esteem and manage shame.

May reflect recognition of harm but reluctance to admit it, serving as a starting point for treatment.

61
Q

What are common motivations for denial among sexual offenders?

A

Fear of stigma and publicity.

Concerns about prison victimization.

Avoiding loss of family or relationships.

62
Q

How should therapists handle attribution shifts in treatment?

A

Avoid forcing shifts from external to internal attributions, as external attributions can support better outcomes.

Focus on addressing dynamic risk factors constructively.

63
Q

What are the clinical recommendations for addressing denial?

A

Avoid punitive or confrontational methods.

Use evidence-based, non-confrontational approaches to foster engagement.

Ensure supervision and program monitoring for effective implementation.

64
Q

What therapeutic techniques are recommended for addressing denial?

A

Schema therapy: Targets underlying beliefs and attitudes that produce cognitive distortions.

Focus on collaboration and creating a safe therapeutic environment.

65
Q

Is denial a significant risk factor for sexual recidivism?

A

Research shows denial is not a major risk factor for recidivism.

It is primarily relevant to low-risk offenders and has limited impact on treatment outcomes.

3.3 Forensic psychology (9 decks)

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