Texas CSO Certification Study Guide questions with
complete solutions
Evidence-based practices are: - ANSWER -are approaches empirically researched and proven to
have measurable, positive outcomes
Interventions are considered effective when they what: - ANSWER -reduce risk and recidivism
Evidence based practices emphasize the use of what: - ANSWER -validated assessment tool and
treatments
TRAS will help make decisions regarding what: - ANSWER -how to most effectively supervise the
probationers
Does punishment alone reduce recidivism: - ANSWER -no evidence has been found that
punishment alone reduces recidivism
Prosocial behaviors are: - ANSWER -law abiding behaviors
-concern for others rights, feeling, and welfare
-behaving in a way intended to help other people
Antisocial behaviors are: - ANSWER -law breaking behaviors
-disregard for rules, laws, and authority
4 principles of effective intervention: - ANSWER -Risk principle
,-Need principle
-Responsivity principle
-Professional discretion
The Risk Principle states that: - ANSWER -supervision and treatment resources should be
prioritized for probationers who are at higher risk to re-offend
Treatment effects have what effect of high and low risk probationers: - ANSWER -strongest on
high risk probationers
-can be harmful to low risk probationers
Low risk probationers are often able to what: - ANSWER -self-correct
Offense type is or is not predictive of risk: - ANSWER offense type is not predictive of risk
Risk does or does not determine how dangerous a probationer is: - ANSWER does not
determine how dangerous a probationer is
The risk principle focuses on what: - ANSWER -who to target for intervention
Using the risk principle, CSO's have a systematic approach to prioritize supervision and
treatment resources on which probationers: - ANSWER -probationers higher risk to re-offend
Accurate assessment is what: - ANSWER -drives effective correctional programs and evidence-
based decision-making
Good assessments meet the what: - ANSWER -risk and needs principle
,Assessments allow: - ANSWER -reduced bias
-assist in decision making
-target dynamic risk factors
-measure change
Dynamic factor are: - ANSWER -factors that can change
Static factors are: - ANSWER -factors that can't change
An "agent of change" is who: - ANSWER -someone who provokes or precipitates significant
change or action in an individual
7 Stages of Change: - ANSWER -Pre-contemplation
-Contemplation
-Determination
-Action
-Maintenance
-Relapse
-Permanent exit
Pre-contemplation stage of change: - ANSWER stage where a person is not even contemplating
making a change
Contemplation stage of change: - ANSWER stage where a person is generally ambivalent-
weighing pros and cons
, Determination stage of change: - ANSWER stage where person makes a firm decision to change-
planning takes place in this stage
Action stage of change: - ANSWER stage where a person begins their plan- difficult because
person misses comfort of past habits while developing new habits
Maintenance stage of change: - ANSWER stage where new habits have been established- in
crisis old habits may occur
Relapse stage of change: - ANSWER stage where continues old behaviors
Permanent exit stage of change: - ANSWER stage where old habits are no longer tempting- even
during crisis situations
Need principle focuses on what: - ANSWER -criminogenic needs to target
The need principle states that interventions must be what: - ANSWER -focused
In community supervision, "dosage" means: - ANSWER -applying the appropriate intensity and
duration of treatment based on the probationer's risk level and criminogenic needs
The needs principle states that interventions must: - ANSWER -target the needs that are related
to the probationers law breaking behavior
Risk management: - ANSWER -determines risk
-applies corresponding sanctions, supervision, and restrictions
-may produce change, but is generally short-term
complete solutions
Evidence-based practices are: - ANSWER -are approaches empirically researched and proven to
have measurable, positive outcomes
Interventions are considered effective when they what: - ANSWER -reduce risk and recidivism
Evidence based practices emphasize the use of what: - ANSWER -validated assessment tool and
treatments
TRAS will help make decisions regarding what: - ANSWER -how to most effectively supervise the
probationers
Does punishment alone reduce recidivism: - ANSWER -no evidence has been found that
punishment alone reduces recidivism
Prosocial behaviors are: - ANSWER -law abiding behaviors
-concern for others rights, feeling, and welfare
-behaving in a way intended to help other people
Antisocial behaviors are: - ANSWER -law breaking behaviors
-disregard for rules, laws, and authority
4 principles of effective intervention: - ANSWER -Risk principle
,-Need principle
-Responsivity principle
-Professional discretion
The Risk Principle states that: - ANSWER -supervision and treatment resources should be
prioritized for probationers who are at higher risk to re-offend
Treatment effects have what effect of high and low risk probationers: - ANSWER -strongest on
high risk probationers
-can be harmful to low risk probationers
Low risk probationers are often able to what: - ANSWER -self-correct
Offense type is or is not predictive of risk: - ANSWER offense type is not predictive of risk
Risk does or does not determine how dangerous a probationer is: - ANSWER does not
determine how dangerous a probationer is
The risk principle focuses on what: - ANSWER -who to target for intervention
Using the risk principle, CSO's have a systematic approach to prioritize supervision and
treatment resources on which probationers: - ANSWER -probationers higher risk to re-offend
Accurate assessment is what: - ANSWER -drives effective correctional programs and evidence-
based decision-making
Good assessments meet the what: - ANSWER -risk and needs principle
,Assessments allow: - ANSWER -reduced bias
-assist in decision making
-target dynamic risk factors
-measure change
Dynamic factor are: - ANSWER -factors that can change
Static factors are: - ANSWER -factors that can't change
An "agent of change" is who: - ANSWER -someone who provokes or precipitates significant
change or action in an individual
7 Stages of Change: - ANSWER -Pre-contemplation
-Contemplation
-Determination
-Action
-Maintenance
-Relapse
-Permanent exit
Pre-contemplation stage of change: - ANSWER stage where a person is not even contemplating
making a change
Contemplation stage of change: - ANSWER stage where a person is generally ambivalent-
weighing pros and cons
, Determination stage of change: - ANSWER stage where person makes a firm decision to change-
planning takes place in this stage
Action stage of change: - ANSWER stage where a person begins their plan- difficult because
person misses comfort of past habits while developing new habits
Maintenance stage of change: - ANSWER stage where new habits have been established- in
crisis old habits may occur
Relapse stage of change: - ANSWER stage where continues old behaviors
Permanent exit stage of change: - ANSWER stage where old habits are no longer tempting- even
during crisis situations
Need principle focuses on what: - ANSWER -criminogenic needs to target
The need principle states that interventions must be what: - ANSWER -focused
In community supervision, "dosage" means: - ANSWER -applying the appropriate intensity and
duration of treatment based on the probationer's risk level and criminogenic needs
The needs principle states that interventions must: - ANSWER -target the needs that are related
to the probationers law breaking behavior
Risk management: - ANSWER -determines risk
-applies corresponding sanctions, supervision, and restrictions
-may produce change, but is generally short-term
