Responsivity

Introduction The responsivity principle is considered the third component of the risk-need-

responsivity (RNR) model. The responsivity principle may actually be the least under-

stood or, at best, the most neglected of the three principles. At its core, the responsivity

principle recommends that treatment programs “maximize the offender’s ability to learn

from a rehabilitative intervention by providing cognitive behavioral treatment and

tailoring the intervention to the learning style, motivation, abilities, and strengths of the

offender” (Bonta & Andrews, 2007, p. 1). In other words, treatment effectiveness can be

enhanced if the program staff takes into consideration the characteristics of the clients.