Lesson 10 - Behaviour modification

Question 1

behaviour modification

Answer 1

a behavioural therapy which uses operant conditioning techniques to encourage positive behaviours

Question 2

token economy

Answer 2

a form of behaviour modification which is sometimes used by the criminal justice system

Question 3

what does token economy use and how

Answer 3

positive reinforcement. secondary reinforcers (tokens) are given when someone displays desirable behaviour. eg following rules, keeping cell orderly

Question 4

what can tokens be exchanged for

Answer 4

primary reinforcers(intrinsic reward) eg. extra phone calls

Question 5

what is negative punishment in reference to this

Answer 5

disobedience will result in the tokens being withheld

Question 6

increments

Answer 6

the desirable behaviour identified and then broken down into smaller steps

Question 7

selective reinforcement

Answer 7

a particular prisoner is rewarded for particular actions

Question 8

+ evaluation of behaviour modification

Answer 8

+ easy to administer, it doesn’t require expert equipment and is cost effective and easy to follow

Question 9

• evaluation of behaviour modification

Answer 9

• doesn’t work if staff isn’t consistent, lack of appropriate training or high staff turnover make consistency problematic
• behaviour modification can only be used in controlled environment, any positive change is lost when the prisoner is released - bcs law abiding behaviour isn’t reinforced outside
• only deals with surface behaviour and doesn’t allow them to reflect on the cause of their offending