Becoming a Man (BAM) — Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Summary

The BAM experiment is unusual in simultaneously reducing violent crime and improving schooling outcomes through a low-cost, school-based intervention. The mechanism — cognitive behavioral therapy targeting automatic responses to perceived threats — had not previously been tested at scale in a public school setting. The 44% reduction in violent crime arrests during the program year was more than double what researchers anticipated. A four-year follow-up found sustained effects on graduation rates. The cost-per-arrest-avoided ($1,100) was a fraction of the social cost of a violent crime. BAM has been replicated in multiple cities and is among the most well-evidenced school-based crime prevention programs in the United States.

Research question

"Does in-school cognitive behavioral therapy reduce violent crime involvement and improve schooling outcomes for high-risk young men?"

Methodology

Result

Positive

Violent crime arrests: −44% during program year; school engagement: +14%; graduation rates: +19% in 4-year follow-up

Evidence strength

Strong

Randomized trial, replicated across multiple sites or studies.

Replication status

Replicated