A criminal behaviorist is a psychologist who studies and works to change criminal behavior through behavioral modification techniques. An investigator in this position looks into the lives of criminals, attempting to determine the root causes of their actions and working to change them. Criminal behaviorist services are frequently employed in the criminal justice system.
In a therapy setting, many criminal behaviorists work directly with criminals. This usually entails attempting to determine the motivation for the criminal activity. In these sessions, techniques for changing this behavior, such as behavior modification and conditioning, may be introduced. Punishing undesirable behaviors while rewarding positive ones is part of behavior modification. Conditioning can be used to explain the factors that lead to certain criminal behaviors, as well as to change them.
A criminal behaviorist typically identifies the conditioning or stimuli that led to the criminal behaviors based on the conditioning theory. Following the identification of the conditioning, de-conditioning occurs, which is a period of time during which old behaviors are eliminated through therapy. Reconditioning begins after the old behaviors have been eliminated. This entails using incentives to encourage people to make good decisions. Identifying stimuli that promote positive and negative behaviors can be a time-consuming process that can take years to complete.
Criminal behaviorists may be called as expert witnesses in court by the criminal justice system. Individuals in these positions may also work in prison rehabilitation centers, private practices with individuals, or forensic criminal psychology with law enforcement agencies. In each case, criminal behavior research is frequently used to help prevent future crimes.
Many criminal behaviorists follow the behaviorism school of thought, which is based on the research of Ivan Pavlov and B.F. Skinner. These men theorized that conditioning was responsible for many human and animal behaviors after conducting tests and experiments. Their early research and observations paved the way for today’s criminal behavior modification techniques. Pavlov and Skinner’s early behaviorist theories include classical and operant conditioning.
The study of psychology and sociology is usually the first step in criminal behaviorist training. The study and research of behaviorism is generally involved, with a special emphasis on criminal behavior. Many criminal behaviorists have dual bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and psychology.