The modification of delinquent behaviour through operant conditioning

Systematic use of such operant techniques as time-out from reinforcement, differential reinforcement and discrimination training over a five-month period resulted in a declining rate of anti-social behaviour together with a decrease in seriousness of offences.

Abstract

The frequent antisocial behaviour of a 13-year-old delinquent boy was hypothesized as resulting from contingencies existing between such behaviour and social reinforcements provided by staff and peers. Systematic use of such operant techniques as time-out from reinforcement, differential reinforcement and discrimination training over a five-month period resulted in a declining rate of anti-social behaviour together with a decrease in seriousness of offences. Five months of operant conditioning was more effective in modifying and controlling his behaviour than the more conventional types of psychotherapy utilized during the previous four years of his institutionalization.