Resilience Through CBT and Grants

Reducing crimes in Liberia through behavioral sciences interventions

In many countries, impoverished young men are disproportionately involved in violence, crime, and other antisocial activities. This not only carries direct costs but also hampers economic growth by deterring investment and redirecting resources toward security measures. In unstable states, these individuals are often exploited for purposes like election intimidation and rioting.

Governments typically respond to this issue through policing or job creation, aiming to alter the incentives of these individuals or incarcerate them. However, an alternative approach explored in this paper is rehabilitation, which involves changing behavior by enhancing individuals' underlying skills and preferences.

Research indicates that certain noncognitive skills, particularly self-control, are strong predictors of long-term economic success and criminal behavior. These skills can be developed through investment, particularly during childhood, with influences from family, schools, and communities. However, there's limited evidence on the effectiveness of investing in these skills during later stages of life and whether interventions can effectively shape behavior. Additionally, it's unclear which specific skills are both significant and amenable to change.