Agency and outcome expectancies for crime desistance: measuring offenders' personal beliefs about change†

Abstract

While the majority of offenders eventually desist from crime, the internal psychological mechanisms hypothesized to drive the process of desistance and offender change have not been systematically measured. This study developed scales for assessing intention to change, or offenders' beliefs regarding their perceived ability to stay crime-free (agency) and expected outcomes for crime and desistance (expectancies). Incarcerated offenders (N 0142) endorsed these beliefs in a way that is consistent with theories of offender change. The structure of beliefs suggests offenders with positive expectancies for desistance and negative expectancies for crime also endorse a higher sense of personal agency to desist. Outcome expectancies for desistance were unrelated to static risk variables, suggesting these measures may be complementary to risk assessment. Overall, the scales developed for this research showed high internal consistency and evidence for concurrent and construct validity. Refining the measurement methods and assessing recidivism outcome post-release should further advance this avenue of research.

Introduction

“…Walters (2011) suggested criminal behavior may at least be partially related to outcome expectations for crime. Furthermore, in support of the influence of learning experiences on outcome expectations, Lloyd and Serin (2012) found a positive correlation between attendance of rehabilitation programs in prison and "negative outcome expectancies for crime" (p. 13). Furthermore, in support of the influence of learning experiences on outcome expectations, Lloyd and Serin (2012) found a positive correlation between attendance of rehabilitation programs in prison and "negative outcome expectancies for crime" (p. 13).…”

“…In the SCCT conceptualization, outcome expectations are also influenced by learning experiences and, along with self-efficacy, influence career goals (Lent et al, 1994). Research suggests that criminal behavior is influenced by self-efficacy and outcome expectations (Lloyd & Serin, 2012;Walters, 2006Walters, , 2011. Research suggests that criminal behavior is influenced by self-efficacy and outcome expectations (Lloyd & Serin, 2012;Walters, 2006Walters, , 2011.…”

“…Existing research indicates that many offenders and ex-offenders have difficulty with setting goals, often choosing the immediate benefits of a criminal lifestyle and overlooking the future punishment related to the crime (Walters, 2006). Yet long-term goal planning can be particularly effective when trying to turn away from criminal behavior (Lloyd & Serin, 2012). Yet long-term goal planning can be particularly effective when trying to turn away from criminal behavior (Lloyd & Serin, 2012).…”

“…In addition, scholars within criminal justice have taken steps in applying social cognitive constructs such as self-efficacy and outcome expectations to explain criminal involvement (e.g., Lloyd & Serin, 2012;Walters, 2006Walters, , 2011. Considering that a strength of SCCT is that it offers relevant concepts that can be applied to a criminal justice population (e.g., contextual factors, person inputs, learning experiences, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and goals), this theory is certainly promising.…”

Risky Business? Supporting Desistance from Sexual Offending

“…Hope, perhaps that things can and will be different, can enhance both motivation and perceptions of personal agency, which, generally manifests as both the capacity and opportunity to exercise choice and control over one's life and is a key component of processes of resilience and desistance (Farrall and Calverley 2006;Fitzpatrick 2011;Lloyd and Serin 2011). However, both resilience and hope can be diminished by an excess or succession of obstacles and adversities (Robertson et al 2006, LeBel et al 2008, not least in the case of high risk sex offenders, as discussed below.…”