Using Reinforcement and Social Modeling with Delinquent Youth

Abstract

VioLit summary: OBJECTIVE: This purpose of this research conducted by Stephens was to assess several different instructional approaches used to rehabilitate juvenile delinquents. METHODOLOGY: This paper was a non-experimental review of literature. The author summarized the findings of several studies conducted in the 1960's and early 1970's which tested different treatment approaches derived from operant conditioning and social modeling. FINDINGS/DISCUSSION: The author grouped the different types of instructional approaches into three areas: direct reinforcement, contingency contracting, and social modeling. The direct reinforcement approach was used when subjects freely acted out certain behaviors which were either positively or negatively reinforced. It was found that this approach was successful as a means of preventing further delinquency when social reinforcement came from peer groups, although peers were also found to reinforce delinquency. The author further concluded that direct positive reinforcement was more successful than direct negative reinforcement in rehabilitating delinquent youth. The author classified studies as using contingency contracts if subjects were told that certain behaviors would bring them certain rewards. The author found that contingency contracting was successful in several studies that created a token economy, where the systems often appeared to function after the rewards or tokens were taken away. Contingency contracts were successful with juveniles who were truant, tardy, and messy as well as with juveniles who stole things or acted out in school. The social modeling approach was used in studies that provided opportunities for delinquents to learn through imitating and observing others. The author concluded that juveniles can learn through observation and imitation, particularly when the model is similar in physical appearance to the delinquent, when observed behavior is rewarded, and when delinquents are hostile or anxious. It was also found that juveniles were more likely to imitate hostile and anxious behaviors than other types of behavior. The author concluded that different approaches will be more successful with some juveniles than others. He defined the youth who would benefit from social modeling as being from lower socioeconomic homes and who do not present serious emotional problems (p 338), and concluded that young people who demand immediate gratification tend to respond well to direct reinforcement. AUTHOR'S RECOMMENDATIONS: The author suggested that these three models should be systematically applied to juvenile delinquents to determine which approach works best for the particular youth. (CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado) Offender Rehabilitation Prosocial Skills Social Skills Development Juvenile Offender Juvenile Delinquency Delinquency Intervention Offender Treatment Delinquency Treatment Juvenile Treatment Social Learning Peer Influence Behavior Modification Literature Review 01-00