CSO Certification test 2025
Questions and Answers
Evidence-based practices - ✔✔approaches empirically researched and proven to have
measurable, positive outcomes
interventions - ✔✔effective when they reduce risk and revidivism
Prosocial behaviors - ✔✔Law abiding behaviors; good things
Antisocial behaviors - ✔✔Law breaking behaviors; bad
4 principles of effective intervention - ✔✔Risk; Need; Responsivity; professional
discretion
Risk Principle - ✔✔Who (who we are concentrating on) - High Risk
Accurate Assessment - ✔✔Drives effective correctional programs and evidenced-based
decision making
Actuarial assessment - ✔✔aa mathematically measured prediction of a person engaging
in a certain behavior (TRAS)
Stages of Change - ✔✔Pre-Contemplation; Contemplation; Determination; Action;
Maintenance; Relapse; Permanent Exit
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY OLIVIA WEST, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
, Pre Contemplation - ✔✔Stage where a person is not even contemplating making a
change (in denial)
Contemplation - ✔✔An individual is generally ambivalent. They are going back and
forth between the pros and cons of making the changes
Determination - ✔✔The individual actually makes a firm decision to change. Planning
takes place in this stage.
Action - ✔✔The individual begins their plan. This is a very difficult stage bc the person
misses the comfort of past habits while developing new ones
Maintenance - ✔✔New habits have been established, but old habits are still tempting
Relapse - ✔✔This occurs if the probationer gives up and continues his old behaviors
long after a crisis situation is over
Permanent exit - ✔✔Occurs when the old habits are no longer tempting even during
crisis situations
RNR - ✔✔Risk, Need, Responsivity
Need - ✔✔What (what criminogenic need you need to focus on)
Risk Management - ✔✔Determine risk; may prodcuce change, but is generally short
term; apply corresponding sanctions, supervision and restrictions.
Risk Reduction - ✔✔Determine risk and identify criminongenic needs. Produces long
term change. Utilize effective interventions and treatment.
Primary Risk Factors - ✔✔often exist on their own. independant off other factors (roots)
Secondary risk factors - ✔✔factors that typically stem from primary risk factors (plant)
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY OLIVIA WEST, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
Questions and Answers
Evidence-based practices - ✔✔approaches empirically researched and proven to have
measurable, positive outcomes
interventions - ✔✔effective when they reduce risk and revidivism
Prosocial behaviors - ✔✔Law abiding behaviors; good things
Antisocial behaviors - ✔✔Law breaking behaviors; bad
4 principles of effective intervention - ✔✔Risk; Need; Responsivity; professional
discretion
Risk Principle - ✔✔Who (who we are concentrating on) - High Risk
Accurate Assessment - ✔✔Drives effective correctional programs and evidenced-based
decision making
Actuarial assessment - ✔✔aa mathematically measured prediction of a person engaging
in a certain behavior (TRAS)
Stages of Change - ✔✔Pre-Contemplation; Contemplation; Determination; Action;
Maintenance; Relapse; Permanent Exit
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY OLIVIA WEST, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
, Pre Contemplation - ✔✔Stage where a person is not even contemplating making a
change (in denial)
Contemplation - ✔✔An individual is generally ambivalent. They are going back and
forth between the pros and cons of making the changes
Determination - ✔✔The individual actually makes a firm decision to change. Planning
takes place in this stage.
Action - ✔✔The individual begins their plan. This is a very difficult stage bc the person
misses the comfort of past habits while developing new ones
Maintenance - ✔✔New habits have been established, but old habits are still tempting
Relapse - ✔✔This occurs if the probationer gives up and continues his old behaviors
long after a crisis situation is over
Permanent exit - ✔✔Occurs when the old habits are no longer tempting even during
crisis situations
RNR - ✔✔Risk, Need, Responsivity
Need - ✔✔What (what criminogenic need you need to focus on)
Risk Management - ✔✔Determine risk; may prodcuce change, but is generally short
term; apply corresponding sanctions, supervision and restrictions.
Risk Reduction - ✔✔Determine risk and identify criminongenic needs. Produces long
term change. Utilize effective interventions and treatment.
Primary Risk Factors - ✔✔often exist on their own. independant off other factors (roots)
Secondary risk factors - ✔✔factors that typically stem from primary risk factors (plant)
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY OLIVIA WEST, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
