FP - Behaviour modification

Question 1

what are behaviour modification programmes

Answer 1

designed to aim the reinforcing of obedient behaviour in offenders whilst punishing disobedient

Question 2

what approach does it use

Answer 2

behaviourist

Question 3

how does the token economy work

Answer 3

• based on operant conditioning
• desirable behaviours could be avoiding confrontation, following prison rules or keeping their cell clean

Question 4

what do prisoners receive for good behaviour

Answer 4

they get a token
- each behaviour should be made clear to the offenders before the programme is implemented

Question 5

what happens if there is disobedience

Answer 5

the tokens are removed

Question 6

what is important about the tokens

Answer 6

they themselves are not rewarding but they can be exchanged
- could be exchanged for a phone call, gym time or extra cigarettes
- the tokens are secondary reinforcers and the rewards are primary reinforcers

Question 7

what is important for a token economy to work

Answer 7

• must be standardised
• Target behaviour must be operationalised and measurable
• The scoring system needs to be consistent for it to work
• Staff must reward the same behaviours for the same amount of tokens
• The recommendation is that reinforcements should outweigh punishments in a ratio of 4:1 for it to be effective
• Staff need to be trained in order to implement the system successfully

Question 8

+ Research to support behaviour modification

Answer 8

• Hobbs and Holt introduced a token economy systems with a group of younger offenders across 3 behavioural units and a 4th control
• They observed a significant difference in positive behaviour compared to the non-token economy group
• These programmes are found to be mostly effective in young people with behavioural problems
• BUT the success of the systems depends on the consistency from staff
• Research suggest that any benefits were lost if staff applied techniques inconsistently which is usually due to a lack of appropriate staff training or high staff turnover

Question 9

+ Behaviour modification is relatively easy to set up in custody

Answer 9

• There is no need for specialist professional to be involved as there would be for other forms of treatment like anger management
• The token economy systems can be implemented by anyone in any institution
• Also cost-effective and easy to follow once workable methods or reinforcement have been established
• Simple and effective

Question 10

X Little rehabilitative value

Answer 10

• Behaviour modification may not have long-term effects
• Blackburn 1993 states it has ‘little rehabilitative value’ and any positive change in behaviour that may occur whilst an offender is in prison may be quickly lost when released
• More cognitive based treatments like anger management are more likely to lead to a permanent change
• As these require the offender to understand the cause of their offending and take responsibility
• But it is easy for offenders to play along with a token economy