Case formulation

• A01

  • Psychological (case) formulation is a constructive approach taken to work with offenders to bring about changes to their criminal behaviour. 
  • Psychological (case) formulation can be used for offenders from all types of crime where they document their own thoughts and feelings. 
  • Practitioners in the field, such as Probation Officers can be trained to use psychological (case) formulation with offenders. 
  • Psychological (case) formulation tailors treatments to address individual offender’s circumstances.
• A03 - STRENGTHS

  • Looking at all aspects of the offender’s life such as perceptions of crime and relationships may help us better understand their behaviour as it is holistic and not restricted to single elements. 
  • Whitehead et al. (2007) found that when offenders were allowed input into the formulations, it gave them a better understanding of their behaviour and they were more likely to work at their goals making it an effective therapy
  • Moore and Drennan (2013) who found benefits in anticipating and managing adverse outcomes in offenders
• A03 - WEAKNESSES

  • Minoudis et al. (2013) reports that even with training, probation officers did not feel confident in all aspects of psychological (case) formulation meaning that if it is not used properly it may have limited value in changing outcomes in respect of offenders’ future behaviours. 
  • Kuyken (2006) found that better formulation did not lead to better understanding of the offenders’ behaviours so was not useful in reducing criminal behaviour.
  • Several people will need to be involved which can be costly