The Perpetrator-Motive Research Design: A strategy for understanding motivations,values, and tactics of criminal offenders

For decades, applied research in the field of behavioral criminology has been successfully utilized to develop theories and training modalities for the purpose of informing practice. One method for conducting this type of research is in-depth interviews of perpetrators. The Perpetrator-Motive Research Design (PMRD) is a 12-step methodological design, which focuses on gaining a thorough understanding of the motivations, values, needs, and tactics of those who commit offenses against others. PMRD has been employed in a pilot study conducted with captive-takers in the FBI's Global Hostage-Taking Research and Analysis Project (GHosT-RAP). Even though global captive-taking is a major domestic and international security problem that affects the interests of the United States, and poses serious challenges abroad, only a modicum of investigative attention has been directed to this problem. This void is addressed through the tripartite mission of GHosT-RAP: (1) to elicit and describe captive-taker values and paradigms, (2) to determine motivations and methods for captive-taking, and (3) to utilize resultant data to improve strategies for mitigation and prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery activities. In addition, GHosT-RAP will serve to formalize and operationalize the PMRD approach into a well-defined, systematic, and replicable process that can be used to better understand a myriad of offenders and their nominal enterprises.     

A Note on Family Acceptance Involving Interracial Friendships and Romantic Relationships

Perceptions of family acceptance concerning interracial friendships and romantic relationships were investigated in a group of 142 undergraduates. The Assessment Scale of Interracial Relationships (ASIR) was constructed by the authors and administered to 68 men and 74 women recruited from introductory psychology courses. Results showed that both men and women held negative attitudes toward interracial relationships, although Black students held more favorable attitudes than did White students. These findings also showed that the women were less accepting of interracial friendships and romantic relationships than the men were. Both Black and White students indicated that family perception of these interracial relationships would be negative.     

A Failure to Obtain “Disinhibition”

The effects of removing the mothers from rat litters for an hour a day on days 3 to 9 (separation treatment) were evaluated against effects for litters where the mothers were removed and immediately replaced (disturbance) and undisturbed controls. There were no consistent differences between the groups in the open-field, but separated and disturbed litters were heavier than controls as adults and not different from one another. At weaning, separated litters were heavier and disturbed litters lighter than controls. The results are discussed in terms of the possible mechanisms underlying the effects of removing the mother, with emphasis on the comparison of mechanisms based on the specific absence of the mother from the litter with incidental disturbance effects or altered maternal responsiveness.     

The Reinforcing Effect of a Differentiating Stimulus

Twenty Sprague Dawley rats, aged 22 to 26 months were given subcutaneous injections of 4.5 mg/kg methylphenidate or distilled water. Twelve minutes after the single injection was given, rats began 90 trials of avoidance conditioning. Drug animals made significantly more correct responses than did the control animals. Results indicate that use of methylphenidate in aged rats improved avoidance learning.     

Changes in Immobility Responses in Rat Pups with Maternal Stimuli

Presentation of maternal stimuli to an isolated rat pup results in what has been called “comfort” responses, as indicated by both behavioral and physiological quieting. This experiment investigated the role of passive maternal stimuli on tonic immobility and dorsal immobility in 9- and 15-day-old rat pups. Although these stimuli appeared ineffective in inducing tonic immobility, presentation of the mother did produce an increase in duration of dorsal immobility in 15-day-old pups. This increase in the dorsal immobility response may reduce struggling in the presence of the mother and thereby aid the mother in transporting the infant back to the nest.     

Spirituality and Substance Abuse Recovery

Researchers explored patient and staff perceptions of spiritual well-being and the spiritual needs of patients enrolled in a residential substance abuse treatment program. The Spiritual Well-Being Scale was used to gather quantitative data. Additionally, a brief questionnaire containing one qualitative and two quantitative questions was completed by both clients and staff. A statistically significant difference was found, indicating a more positive sense of spiritual well-being among patients upon discharge. Although the staff and clients of the residential program have similar perceptions regarding the concept of spiritual well-being, their definitions do not appear identical.     

Journal File

This article examines the use of multi-couple group therapy treatment for couples in which at least one member has served in the military. Multi-couple group therapy could provide relief on a taxed system while improving the functioning and well-being of the Soldiers. The authors discuss trauma, the importance of the mission, military hierarchy, and frequent relocation as essential to understanding and working effectively with this population and how multi-couple group therapy could utilize the systemic influences to increase overall therapeutic efficacy. The article ends with a brief discussion on further research ideas.     

Journal File

The Internet can be a problematic place for relationship development. As popular as these approaches are, none apprise the therapist of specific dilemmas critical to the outcome of treatment. The purpose of this paper is to outline the therapeutic dilemmas faced by therapists in treating Internet infidelity. It is the first article of its kind to outline the key dilemmas: (a) seven factors that increase a couple's vulnerability to Internet infidelity, (b) self-of-the-therapist issues, and (c) divisive issues in treatment. A case example demonstrating how to address the dilemmas in a couple experiencing Internet infidelity is included.