title: Does within-treatment change on dynamic risk factors and psychopathology predict recidivism for men graduating from Tai Aroha?

authors: Tanner Dempsey, Arden

subjects: dynamic risk factors

abstract: Dynamic risk factors are modifiable aspects of justice-involved people and their environment that can change over time and are associated with criminal behaviour. Because they are considered changeable, they are therefore typically the focus of rehabilitative treatment (Bonta & Andrews, 2024). Research shows that correctional rehabilitation that targets dynamic risk factors effectively reduces recidivism, and psychometric tools assessing these factors generally show improvements during treatment. However, there is a missing link; current research lacks consistent evidence linking changes on dynamic risk factors during treatment to recidivism. Relatedly, there are few studies assessing within-treatment changes in psychopathology and how they may affect recidivism, though they are commonly assessed alongside dynamic risk factors in correctional settings. 
This study, involving 164 people with violent offence convictions who completed the Tai Aroha community treatment programme, aimed to address this missing link. A battery of tests measured pre- and post-programme included dynamic risk factor measures, the Anger Disorders Scale (ADS), Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles (PICTS), Criminal Attitudes to Violence Scale (CAVS), and the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-III and IV) which is designed to assess personality and clinical psychopathology. Standardised residual change scores were used to account for variance in pre-treatment scores, and Cox regression hazard ratios to test prediction of general and violent recidivism.
Most subscales for dynamic risk factor measures and the MCMI-III and IV showed substantial improvements during treatment, however, this did not translate to predicting the probability of recidivism. While several hazard ratios indicated effects in a positive direction, none were significant when adjusted for multiple comparisons, and controlling for actuarial risk did not improve predictive accuracy. There was some evidence of increased socially desirable responding which increased at the end of treatment, this included responses on the MCMI-III and IV consistent with the “Normal Quartet.” Interpretations of these findings and both theoretical and empirical implications are discussed.

text: Does within-treatment change on dynamic risk factors and psychopathology predict recidivism for men graduating from Tai Aroha? Dynamic risk factors are modifiable aspects of justice-involved people and their environment that can change over time and are associated with criminal behaviour. Because they are considered changeable, they are therefore typically the focus of rehabilitative treatment (Bonta & Andrews, 2024). Research shows that correctional rehabilitation that targets dynamic risk factors effectively reduces recidivism, and psychometric tools assessing these factors generally show improvements during treatment. However, there is a missing link; current research lacks consistent evidence linking changes on dynamic risk factors during treatment to recidivism. Relatedly, there are few studies assessing within-treatment changes in psychopathology and how they may affect recidivism, though they are commonly assessed alongside dynamic risk factors in correctional settings. 
This study, involving 164 people with violent offence convictions who completed the Tai Aroha community treatment programme, aimed to address this missing link. A battery of tests measured pre- and post-programme included dynamic risk factor measures, the Anger Disorders Scale (ADS), Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles (PICTS), Criminal Attitudes to Violence Scale (CAVS), and the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-III and IV) which is designed to assess personality and clinical psychopathology. Standardised residual change scores were used to account for variance in pre-treatment scores, and Cox regression hazard ratios to test prediction of general and violent recidivism.
Most subscales for dynamic risk factor measures and the MCMI-III and IV showed substantial improvements during treatment, however, this did not translate to predicting the probability of recidivism. While several hazard ratios indicated effects in a positive direction, none were significant when adjusted for multiple comparisons, and controlling for actuarial risk did not improve predictive accuracy. There was some evidence of increased socially desirable responding which increased at the end of treatment, this included responses on the MCMI-III and IV consistent with the “Normal Quartet.” Interpretations of these findings and both theoretical and empirical implications are discussed.

year: 2024-01-23

title: A Relationships Framework for Organisational Responsiveness to Te Tiriti/Treaty of Waitangi in the Work of Groups and Organisations in the Community and the Public Sector of Aotearoa New Zealand

authors: Spelman, Anthony Cyril

subjects: Organisation Development

abstract: This thesis is focussed on the development and implementation of a Relationships Framework based on Te Tiriti/Treaty of Waitangi.  The Framework has been designed to enable working together between Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti in the community and Public Sector in Aotearoa New Zealand.  Its development is explored and its implementation critiqued.  Within that Framework, an original organisation development tool based on a Tiriti/Treaty two-worldview approach is examined in terms of its potential to facilitate change in the operation and management of public life in Aotearoa New Zealand.
My aim is to establish an effective approach for working with worldview difference in the context of Tiriti/Treaty of Waitangi relationships and their implications.  I have a belief that Tangata Whenua are currently excluded from participating in processes that govern public life due to the dominance of Tangata Tiriti worldviews.  Therefore I am committed to making a contribution to a change in this dynamic so that Tangata Whenua views are not only heard but form an integral part of how the infrastructure of our public life is developed and managed. 
The Tiriti/Treaty of Waitangi Relationships Framework [The Framework] presented in the thesis is critiqued in two ways: i) through an examination of the concepts that inform it, and ii) by exploring six examples of its operation and further development in the community and public sector in Aotearoa New Zealand.  The Framework and the Tiriti/Treaty Two-worldview approach used to inform it has worked effectively in a variety of settings.  Through my research I show that organisation development of this type is complex.  It appears that there need be no fixed starting point in the development process within an organisation.  However all key elements of that process must eventually be addressed if effective relationships are to be achieved and the resulting organisational change is to be sustained.  Commitment to organisation development of this type is therefore long-term and requires a commitment to leading and supporting change in behaviour, systems and processes, and structures.

text: A Relationships Framework for Organisational Responsiveness to Te Tiriti/Treaty of Waitangi in the Work of Groups and Organisations in the Community and the Public Sector of Aotearoa New Zealand This thesis is focussed on the development and implementation of a Relationships Framework based on Te Tiriti/Treaty of Waitangi.  The Framework has been designed to enable working together between Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti in the community and Public Sector in Aotearoa New Zealand.  Its development is explored and its implementation critiqued.  Within that Framework, an original organisation development tool based on a Tiriti/Treaty two-worldview approach is examined in terms of its potential to facilitate change in the operation and management of public life in Aotearoa New Zealand.
My aim is to establish an effective approach for working with worldview difference in the context of Tiriti/Treaty of Waitangi relationships and their implications.  I have a belief that Tangata Whenua are currently excluded from participating in processes that govern public life due to the dominance of Tangata Tiriti worldviews.  Therefore I am committed to making a contribution to a change in this dynamic so that Tangata Whenua views are not only heard but form an integral part of how the infrastructure of our public life is developed and managed. 
The Tiriti/Treaty of Waitangi Relationships Framework [The Framework] presented in the thesis is critiqued in two ways: i) through an examination of the concepts that inform it, and ii) by exploring six examples of its operation and further development in the community and public sector in Aotearoa New Zealand.  The Framework and the Tiriti/Treaty Two-worldview approach used to inform it has worked effectively in a variety of settings.  Through my research I show that organisation development of this type is complex.  It appears that there need be no fixed starting point in the development process within an organisation.  However all key elements of that process must eventually be addressed if effective relationships are to be achieved and the resulting organisational change is to be sustained.  Commitment to organisation development of this type is therefore long-term and requires a commitment to leading and supporting change in behaviour, systems and processes, and structures.

year: 2013

title: Switch hitting in baseball: Apparent rule-following, not matching

authors: Poling, Alan

subjects: matching equation

abstract: Many studies, including some dealing with shot selection in basketball and play selection in football, demonstrate that the generalized matching equation provides a good description of the allocation of time and effort to alternative responses as a function of the consequences of those alternatives. We examined whether it did so with respect to left- and right-handed at bats (alternative responses) and left- and right-handed total bases earned, runs batted in, and home runs (three consequences) for the outstanding baseball switch-hitters Mickey Mantle, Eddie Murray, and Pete Rose. With all hitters, undermatching, suggesting insensitivity to the consequences of behavior (reinforcement), was evident and there was substantial bias towards left-handed at bats. These players apparently chose handedness based on the rule “bat opposite the pitcher,” not on differential consequences obtained in major league games. The present findings are significant in representing a counter-instance of demonstrations of a matching relationship in sports in particular and in human behavior in general and in calling attention to the need for further study of the variables that affect choice.

text: Switch hitting in baseball: Apparent rule-following, not matching Many studies, including some dealing with shot selection in basketball and play selection in football, demonstrate that the generalized matching equation provides a good description of the allocation of time and effort to alternative responses as a function of the consequences of those alternatives. We examined whether it did so with respect to left- and right-handed at bats (alternative responses) and left- and right-handed total bases earned, runs batted in, and home runs (three consequences) for the outstanding baseball switch-hitters Mickey Mantle, Eddie Murray, and Pete Rose. With all hitters, undermatching, suggesting insensitivity to the consequences of behavior (reinforcement), was evident and there was substantial bias towards left-handed at bats. These players apparently chose handedness based on the rule “bat opposite the pitcher,” not on differential consequences obtained in major league games. The present findings are significant in representing a counter-instance of demonstrations of a matching relationship in sports in particular and in human behavior in general and in calling attention to the need for further study of the variables that affect choice.

year: 2011