Lesson 10: Behaviour modification

Question 1

What is behaviour modification?

Answer 1

It is a behavioural therapy based on PRINCIPLES of OPERANT CONDITIONING. It involves the SYSTEMATIC use of positive + negative reinforcement for desired behaviours

Question 2

What is token economy?

Answer 2

Token economy is a FORM of behaviour modification used in PRISONS

Question 3

How does token economy work?

Answer 3

Desirable behaviour is REINFORCED with a TOKEN, which can be exchanged for some form of a REWARD

(desirable behaviour can include: avoiding conflict, following prison rules, keeping your cell orderly)

Question 4

What type of reinforcers are tokens?

Answer 4

SECONDARY reinforcers

Question 5

Why are tokens referred to as secondary reinforcers?

Answer 5

Because they can be exchanged for rewards which are PRIMARY reinforcers

Question 6

What is made clear to the prisoners before they start the behaviour modification programme?

Answer 6

The DESIRABLE behaviour + REWARDS

Question 7

If prisoners or disobedient or do not comply what will happen?

Answer 7

The tokens will be withheld, this is a form of NEGATIVE PUNISHMENT

Question 8

How are desirable behaviors approached in behavior modification programs?

Answer 8

In behavior modification programs, desirable behaviors (e.g avoiding conflict) are IDENTIFIED and then BROKEN DOWN into smaller steps known as INCREMENTS

Question 9

What must all those who come into contact with offender follow the same regime of?

Answer 9

Selective reinforcement-> process in which a prisoner is rewarded for particular actions

Question 10

Positive evaluation of Behaviour modification
(Hint: Easy to administer, cost effective)

Answer 10

+ Token economy is easy to administer, it does not require expert professionals
or specialised equipment. Rather, it can be implemented by virtually anyone in
the prison. Token economy is also cost-effective and easy to follow once the
method of reinforcement has been established

Question 11

Negative evaluation of Behaviour modification
(Hint: Inconsistency)

Answer 11

• Token economy doesn’t work if staff are not consistent. Sometimes lack of
  appropriate training or high staff turnover make consistency problematic

Question 12

Negative evaluation of Behaviour modification
(Hint: controlled environments only)

Answer 12

• Behaviour modification can only be used in controlled environment. Any positive
  behavioural change that occurs while the prisoner is incarcerated are quickly
  lost once the prisoner is released. This is because law-abiding behaviour is not
  always reinforced on the outside and the rewards that result from breaking the
  law may be powerful. It could also be because offenders are merely ‘playing
  along’ with the scheme to get the rewards, and not really learning to change
  their behaviour

Question 13

Negative evaluation of Behaviour modification
(Hint: Unethical)

Answer 13

• Critics of token economy have suggested that it is unethical. In some prisons
  participation in the scheme is obligatory. Although ultimately the offender can
  decide whether or not to obey the rules or break them, the withdrawal of
  privileges such as exercise and contact with loved ones can be physically and
  psychologically harmful.

Question 14

Negative evaluation of Behaviour modificiation
(Hint: Surface level behaviour)

Answer 14

Behaviour modification only deals with surface behaviour. Other treatments go
deeper and require offenders to reflect on the cause of their offending and
take responsibility for their rehabilitation.