Moral Reconation Therapy: A Systematic Step-by-Step Treatment System for Treatment Resistant Clients

Abstract

Moral Reconation Therapy is a systematic treatment strategy designed to enhance ego, social, moral, and positive behavioral growth in a progressive, step-by-step fashion. It is based upon the assumption that fully functioning, reasonably content, happy persons have a strong sense of identity and that their behavior and relationships are based upon relatively high moral judgment levels. The therapist strives to reeducate clients socially, morally, and behaviorally and to instill appropriate goals, motivation, and values. Moral Reconation Therapy has slowly evolved in response to the unique needs of particular client populations who are considered resistant to treatment. The therapy is an adaptable and utilitarian treatment system. This article is a review of the treatment system and relevant personality theory, and a description of how the system is applied to drug abusers and clients with antisocial personalities. In addition, the article presents preliminary research on the system.

Competencia cognitiva en penados primarios y reincidentes: Implicaciones para la reeducación

“…Estos programas de entrenamiento cognitivoconductuales se estructuran en torno a paquetes integrados de destrezas o habilidades a entrenar, en función de los factores de protección o riesgo que se haya considerado (no basados en la evidencia) u observado (basados en la evidencia) que caracterizan a los grupos antisociales o delictivos frente a los normalizados, o a los resilientes, destacando por su eficacia la Moral Recognition Therapy (Little y Robinson, 1998) y el programa Reasoning and Rehabilitation (Ross y Fabiano, 1985). Estos paquetes han dado lugar, cuando resultan de la combinación de los factores de riesgo, a los modelos de vulnerabilidad o de déficit de destrezas (Ross y Fabiano, 1985), y, cuando integran los factores de protección, a los de competencia (Masten, Burt y Coastworth, 2006).…”

Extending Assertive Community Treatment to Criminal Justice Settings: Origins, Current Evidence, and Future Directions

“…In many respects, these street behaviors may result from poor decision-making in difficult circumstances as opposed to being the product of a deep seated ''criminal mind.'' Two types of manualized CBT interventions-Moral Reconation Therapy (Little & Robinson, 1998) and Reasoning and Rehabilitation (Ross, Fabiano, & Evans, 1988;Ross & Ross, 1995)-have been shown to be effective in reducing criminal behavior, with an average effect size of .08 (WSIPP, 2006; also see Allen, MacKenzie, & Hickman, 2001). Both are designed to help offenders correct their thinking and provide opportunities to model and practice problem-solving and pro-social skills.…”

Treatments for Recidivism Risk Among Justice-Involved Veterans

“…The most promising interventions include cognitive-behavioral treatments (CBT) that aim to change antisocial ways of thinking. The most well-known examples of these treatments include Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT; Little & Robinson, 1988), Reasoning and Rehabilitation (R&R; Ross, Fabiano, & Ross, 1986), and Thinking for a Change (T4C; Bush, Glick, & Taymans, 2011). As reviewed next, the most consistent evidence of effectiveness is for MRT, whereas the evidence for R&R is less consistent.…”

“…Of the three specialized approaches, the most extensive evidence base is for MRT (Little & Robinson, 1988). MRT has been adapted for specific subgroups of offenders, such as those charged with driving while intoxicated or with domestic violence or sex offenses (Correctional Counseling, Inc., 2010).…”