Date of Award
1984
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Bernard M. Chirico
Second Advisor
Dr. William E. Walker
Third Advisor
Dr. Robert Watts Jr.
Abstract
This experiment was conducted in order to determine the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral treatment, involving self-instructions training for impulsivity, on female juvenile delinquents. An additional consideration was whether instructions educating subjects about the generalizability of self-instructions would lead to a decrease in impulsivity in a classroom situation. Thirty subjects were randomly assigned tp 3 groups - Group 1 being trained in self-instructions and receiving generalizing instructions, Group 2 being trained self-instruction alone, and Group 3 serving as the attentional control group. The Matching Familiar Figures test was admini stered before and after treatment sessions and the Impulsive Behavior Scale was rated by the teachers at the same time. When the scores across groups were compared, it was found that although Group l and Group 2 made a significant improvement in terms of number of errors on the MFF as compared to Group 3, no difference was found in terms of the latency on the MFF or the rating on the ICBS. A Post-hoc Chi Square conducted on the case workers opinions as to whether the subjects has improved impulse control, revealed a significant difference among the groups. Results are discussed with implications for both the theoretical for both the theoretical aspects of this cognitive-behavioral treatment as well as the applied use of this treatment with juvenile delinquents.
Recommended Citation
Stafford, Dinaz Lynn, "Testing the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral treatment for impulsivity with female juvenile delinquents" (1984). Master's Theses. 1078.
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/masters-theses/1078