Variously referred to as behaviorism, behavioral psychology is the study of the links between human cognition and behaviors. As a sub-discipline of psychology and criminology, behavioral psychology seeks to link the cognitive processes of humans with the responses that such individuals have to stimuli as well as the influencing factors (such as reinforcement or dissuasion). Premised on both the theoretical (due to ongoing research efforts) and substantive frameworks (because of the application in law enforcement work), as Crone-Todd, (2015) alludes, trends in behavioral psychology include the increased emphasis on context within which behaviors and responses to stimuli are expressed with the aim of understanding the mediating role of such context. The subject remains problematic because of the fact that there are a number of factors that play into understanding human behavior rather than just studying the cognition behind such. Further, the fact that it is a relatively new field, considering its application to administration of criminal justice, there may be inadequate information concerning all its aspects.
The need for further research into the application of behavioral psychology in so far as criminal justice is concerned is informed by the growing trend to prevent crime rather than react to its commission and behavioral psychology would be of help to such an end. An emphasis on the need to observe human rights and uphold human dignity (even in the administration of criminal justice) also necessitates the study of behavioral psychology. Expected benefits of such effort would be the increased effectiveness of crime prediction and prevention, the development of a deeper understanding of why humans behave as they do and more meaningful rehabilitation of criminals (by helping address triggers of engagement in crime).
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Notable authorities in the field who have researched the application of behavioral psychology include John B Watson, Edward Thorndike, Ivan Pavlov and B. F. Skinner. Others who have challenged the subject and called for further research include Noam Chomsky who criticized the field and Allen Newell and Herbert Simon who drew parallels between it and artificial intelligence. Limitations might include the inadequacy of time to study and develop a deeper understanding of how cognition influences behavior. Another hurdle might be the legal, moral and ethical restrictions regarding the use of humans in experimental studies. My study will seek to help illuminate how the administration of criminal justice may benefit from behavioral psychology; more specifically the attempt to rehabilitate incarcerated individuals.
References
Crone-Todd, D.(Ed.) (2015). Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall
