Behaviour Modification

Question 1

What is the aim of behaviour modification programmes?

Answer 1

Aims to reinforce obedient behaviour (following rules, personal hygiene, helping out, etc) and punish disobedience in hopes that the latter stops

Question 2

What happens in token economy systems?

Answer 2

Tokens are given for desirable behaviour, given immediately to prevent delay discounting (which reduces effectiveness of reinforcement), later swapped for a tangible reward (gym time, phone calls, etc.)
Disobedience may result in these being withheld or removed

Question 3

How do token economy systems work?

Answer 3

Tokens aren’t a reward themselves but act as a secondary reinforcer and the reward they ate exchanged for is the primary
(Based on operant conditioning)

Question 4

How should a token economy be designed?

Answer 4

~ Operationalising target behaviour
- behaviours should be objective, measurable + agreed with all staff
~ Scoring system
- staff and prisoners should be aware of how much certain behaviours are worth
- behaviours are hierarchal —> more demanding behaviours should be rewarded more
Training staff
- important that prison staff are given full training on how to effectively implement token economy
- means the procedures are standardised so all staff reward behaviour in same way
- must also record rewarded behaviour to track progress

Question 5

Give a strength of behaviour modification

Answer 5

Widely applicable
- doesn’t require specialist professionals needed in other programmes like anger management, can be implemented by virtually anyone
- cost effective and easy to follow once reinforcement methods are established
- makes it more accessible as it can be widely applied despite funding cuts
however a study found benefits were lost after staff inconsistently apply techniques due to lack of training and high staff turnover

Question 6

Give weaknesses of behaviour modification

Answer 6

Little rehabilitative value
- effective in prison but progress unlikely to extend beyond custodial setting
- as law abiding behaviour not always rewarded outside prison or rewards from offending are more powerful
- means not actually effective in changing behaviour long term, solely motivated by reward and not changing attitudes to offending behaviour so can be quickly lost on release
- promotes extrinsic motivation rather than intrinsic motivation
Unethical way of dealing with behaviour
- regarded as dehumanising and manipulative; participation in the scheme is obligatory rather than optional
- withdrawal of ‘privileges’ such as exercise or contact with loved ones deemed unethical as these are basic rights
- questions whether the benefits outweigh the cost
Superficial way of dealing with behaviour
- only encourages passive superficial learning
- other approaches such as anger management are more active, making the offender reflect on their actions whilst behaviour modification results in less of a chnage in overall character and long term behaviour
- doesn’t deal with the root of the behaviour