Social Problem Solving and Offending: Evidence, Evaluation and Evolution (Wiley Series in Forensic Clinical Psychology)

"…this text offered a good introduction to the field of social problem solving,and would be recommended to practitioners working with offenders." (Applied Cognitive Psychology, February 2007)

By clarifying how people perceive and interpret the actions of others, make decisions about how to respond, and view the morality of their behaviour, we gain access to the thinking processes that can lead to antisocial behaviour. Interventions based on empirical evidence about social problem solving are likely to be the most effective in assisting individuals to live more successful, pro-social lives.

Written by eminent international academics and practitioners, Social Problem Solving and Offending is the first text to draw together research in this field. These scholarly contributions focus on evidence, theory, practice and future directions. Topics covered include developmental issues, personality disorder, substance misuse, sexual offending and psychopathy. Key treatment programmes are described and evaluated, and each chapter emphasizes the important links between practice and research. Advances in research on social cognition and moral reasoning indicate how social problem solving can be enhanced to further our understanding of offending behaviour.

This text provides the reader with the knowledge essential to developing effective practice in the prevention and treatment of offending. It will be of interest to psychologists, psychiatrists, probation officers, social workers, staff of secure mental health services and academics.