Does intra-individual change predict offender recidivism? Searching for the Holy Grail in assessing offender change

Offender rehabilitation effectively reduces recidivism for treatment groups compared to control groups, but there is less evidence demonstrating that intra-individual changes are related to reductions in risk. We review and critique academic and government literature linking individual change scores to recidivism, focusing on three key treatment domains: cognition, violence, and substance misuse. Database searches identified 378 studies measuring change, but only 53 studies yielding 49 explicit tests of the relationship between intra-individual change scores and recidivism outcome. Of the 49 available tests, 26 effect sizes (53.1%) were significant, ranging from small (d = 0.06) to large (d = 1.48). Across all domains, change variables significantly related to recidivism included known dynamic risk factors: antisocial attitudes, antisocial beliefs, antisocial associates, antisocial personality, social support, and substance misuse. Two additional findings centered on changes in negative emotion and successful treatment process. This review further suggests there is a need to utilize better measurement strategies and more sophisticated constructs. Additional practical, theoretical, and methodological implications are discussed.     

Mentoring for Responsible Research: The Creation of a Curriculum for Faculty to Teach RCR in the Research Environment

Despite more than 25 years of a requirement for training in the responsible conduct of research (RCR), there is still little consensus about what such training should include, how it should be delivered, nor what constitutes “effectiveness” of such training. This lack of consensus on content, approaches and outcomes is evident in recent data showing high variability in the development and implementation of RCR instruction across universities and programs. If we accept that one of the primary aims of instruction in RCR/research ethics is “to foster a community of social responsibility” (Antes et al. 2009: 398), then it makes sense to consider the research environment itself—where learning one’s science happens where one also engages in social interaction around that science. In order to take the best advantage of that already existing/naturally occurring research environment, the authors, through a deliberative, collaborative, and integrative process, crafted a workshop curriculum meant to arm research faculty with concrete and specific tools to effectively introduce research ethics in the context of the research environment.     

Cochlear implants and the claims of culture? A response to Lane and Grodin

Because I reject the notion that physical characteristics constitute cultural membership, I argue that, even if the claim were persuasive that deafness is a culture rather than a disability, there is no reason to fault hearing parents who choose cochlear implants for their deaf children.     

Clinical teaching: The difficulty of learning

Physicians-in-training face major barriers to effectively learning both the technical and artistic sides of medicine. In both hospital and office settings, inadequate attention has been paid to the context and work environment for learning. The system of care itself is one of the major teachers of the practice of medicine; it must be optimized to produce maximal learning.     

Psychophysiological and physiological aspects of T-wave amplitude in the objective study of behavior

The objective study of behavior, which is the stated aim of our society, does not impose restrictions on the levels of explanatory constructs that are used. The only restriction is that the evidence concerning those constructs be stated in an objective or scientifically communicable way. Thus the concepts that we employ to explain behavior range from the sociologic to the biochemical. This article’s underlying thesis is that behavior needs to be investigated at various levels, and that these levels should be clearly differentiated in order to bring these investigations into a scientifically meaningful relationship. The thesis is here illustrated by examining evidence and arguments concerning the utility and status of a noninvasive index of myocardial performance: T-wave amplitude (TWA). The examination begins at a psychophysiological-index level, wherein TWA is considered in terms of how well this noninvasive physiological index differentiates psychological processes. Secondly, at a lower physiological-index level, we consider the assumption that TWA reflects a relatively unitary physiological process, myocardial beta-adrenergic sympathetic influence. Both the grounds for and implications of this assumption are discussed. Finally, at the physiological-index level of discourse, brief reference is made to the mechanism by which changes in beta-adrenergic sympathetic innervation may produce correlated changes in TWA. The overall aim of the article is to differentiate these three levels of investigation, and yet also to consider the interrelationship among these three levels in order to provide a fuller scientific understanding of the phenomena involved.     

Experimental analysis of pedophilia

It was hypothesized that the population of pedophiles differs from that of males who prefer physically mature partners, in respect of the proportion of bisexual members in each group. Bisexuality was assessed by means of a verbal scale and by recording penile volume changes during the presentation of movie clips of nude males and females. Results supported the hypothesis.An earlier finding of a difference between pedophiles and males who prefer physically mature partners, in respect to feminine gender identity, was retested using the Feminine Gender Identity Scale (for males). It could be confirmed only for homosexual males and therefore cannot be accepted as a general difference between pedophiles and persons who prefer physically mature partners.     

Object concept and sleep regulation

The association between infants' cognitive development and sleep regulation was investigated in 83 infants not at risk. It was found that 9-mo.-old infants with a more advanced object concept had significantly fewer sleep difficulties compared to infants with lower level of object permanence.     

On Counseling Men

Counselors need to be aware of the characteristics of men, the qualities of men in counseling, and the pressures on the contemporary man. This article considers some of the expectations and qualities of men in general and in the counseling relationship in particular. The influence of these qualities and expectations on the interaction between client and counselor is examined. Suggestions are made to improve the effectiveness of the counseling process.     

Development and Evaluation of the Atheist Identity Concealment Scale (AICS)

Journal of Religion and Health - The Atheist Identity Concealment Scale (AICS) was developed as a tool to assess the degree to which atheists conceal their atheist identity from others. Drawing on...