Behaviour Modification

Question 1

What is the behaviourist approach’s argument

Answer 1

that all human behaviour is learned – so it stands to reason that behaviour can be
unlearned

Question 2

how should behaviour be learnt or unlearnt

Answer 2

it should be achievable using the same principles that were used to
learn the behaviour in the first place

Question 3

what is behaviour modification

Answer 3

behavioural therapy based on principles of operant
conditioning

Question 4

what ideas from o.c. are present in behaviour modification

Answer 4

systematic use of positive and negative
reinforcement for desired behaviours

Question 5

what is token economy + where is it used

Answer 5

form of behavior modification
used in prisons

Question 6

Desirable behaviour is reinforced - how ?

Answer 6

with a token, which can be exchanged for some form of
reward

Question 7

examples of desirable behaviour in prison

Answer 7

avoiding conflict
following prison rules
keeping your cell orderly

Question 8

are tokens primary or secondary reinforcers

Answer 8

secondary
because they can be exchanged for a reward (the primary reinforcers)

Question 9

The rewards that tokens can be exchanged for vary from prison
to prison, they may include what?

Answer 9

a phone call to a loved one, time in the gym, access to
a computer, extra cigarettes, or extra food.

Question 10

when are desirable behaviour and available rewards made clear to the prisoners

Answer 10

before they start the programme

Question 11

non-compliance or disobedience will result in what?
+ what is this an example of

Answer 11

the tokens being withheld
(negative punishment)

Question 12

how does behaviour modification work (like what’s the process)

Answer 12

the desirable behaviour is identified (avoiding conflict)
broken down into increments
(all who come into contact with the offender must follow the same regime of selective reinforcement, a particular prisoner is rewarded for particular actions)

Question 13

who oversees the whole programme

Answer 13

a prison official who is able to monitor the programme’s effectiveness on the management of the prison as a whole, as well as on the behaviour of individual offenders.

Question 14

Token economy +

Answer 14

easy to administer by anyone: does not require expert professionals / specialised equipment.
cost-effective
easy to follow once the method of reinforcement has been established

Question 15

what can make it hard for token economy to be effective

Answer 15

inconsistency (Sometimes lack of appropriate training or high staff turnover make consistency problematic)

Question 16

other cons of token economy

Answer 16

• can only be used in controlled environment
• unethical
• surface behaviour

Question 17

why might token economy be considered unethical

Answer 17

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 18

why is token economy only dealing with surface behaviour bad in comparison

Answer 18

other treatments go deeper and require offenders to reflect on the cause of their offending and take responsibility for their rehabilitation.

Question 19

why does token economy only work in a controlled environment

Answer 19

Any positive behavioural change that occurs while the prisoner is incarcerated = lost once the prisoner is released because law-abiding behaviour is not
always reinforced on the outside and the rewards that result from breaking the
law may be powerful.
Cant be sure if ppl are ‘playing along’ with the scheme to get the rewards, not really learning to change their behaviour.