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Cognitive Behavior Therapy Reduces Crime and Violence over 10 Years: Experimental Evidence

Author

Listed:
  • Christopher Blattman
  • Sebastian Chaskel
  • Julian C. Jamison
  • Margaret Sheridan

Abstract

Several small, short-term, or non-experimental studies show that cognitive behavioral informed trainings reduce antisocial behaviors for 1–2 years. But there is no large-scale, long-term research on persistence. We follow 999 high-risk men in Liberia 10 years after randomization into: 8 weeks of low-cost therapy, $200 cash, both, or a control group. A decade later, men receiving therapy or therapy with cash were about half as likely as the control group to engage in various antisocial behaviors, including robbery, drug selling, and street fights—far exceeding expert predictions. Impacts are concentrated in the highest-risk men, and most robust from therapy with cash.

Suggested Citation

  • Christopher Blattman & Sebastian Chaskel & Julian C. Jamison & Margaret Sheridan, 2022. "Cognitive Behavior Therapy Reduces Crime and Violence over 10 Years: Experimental Evidence," NBER Working Papers 30049, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:30049
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    Cited by:

    1. Heckman, James J. & Galaty, Bridget & Tian, Haihan, 2023. "The Economic Approach to Personality, Character and Virtue," IZA Discussion Papers 16133, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Yotam Shem‐Tov & Steven Raphael & Alissa Skog, 2024. "Can Restorative Justice Conferencing Reduce Recidivism? Evidence From the Make‐it‐Right Program," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 92(1), pages 61-78, January.
    3. Christopher Roth & Peter Schwardmann & Egon Tripodi, 2024. "Depression Stigma," Rationality and Competition Discussion Paper Series 499, CRC TRR 190 Rationality and Competition.
    4. Christopher Roth & Peter Schwardmann & Egon Tripodi, 2024. "Misperceived Effectiveness and the Demand for Psychotherapy," Rationality and Competition Discussion Paper Series 500, CRC TRR 190 Rationality and Competition.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • O17 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements

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