Dealing with Offending Behaviour: Behaviour Modification

Question 1

What does the behaviourist approach believe?

Answer 1

Human behaviour is leaned, it also assumes that it is possible to apply the same principles to unlearn behaviour

Question 2

What are behaviour modification programs designed to do?

Answer 2

Reinforce obedient behaviour and punish disobedient, the idea is that disobedience is eventually made extinct

Question 3

What is token economy?

Answer 3

Based on operant conditioning, this involves rewarding desirable behaviour with a token which can be exchanged for something which the prisoners perceive as a reward

Question 4

What do tokens act as?

Answer 4

Secondary reinforces as they derive value through association with the perceived reward

Question 5

What could rewards include?

Answer 5

• Extra phone calls to loved ones
• Extra allowance of cigarettes
• Privileges to use the gym

Question 6

What may disobedience lead to?

Answer 6

The removal of tokens and/or these potential privileges as a form of punishment

Question 7

What did Hobbs and Holt do?

Answer 7

Introduced token economy with three groups of juvenile delinquents with a 4th acting as a control group

Question 8

What did Hobbs and Holt find?

Answer 8

A significant difference in postive behaviour form the token economy group

Question 9

What did Cohen and Filipczak do?

Answer 9

Showed that a token economy group showed more desirable behaviour in an adult prison, additionally within two years of release the token economy group were less likely to offend

Question 10

What did Cohen and Filipczak find?

Answer 10

After 3 years recidivism rates went back to national levels, this suggests that the token economy strategy may delay reoffending but may not be permanent reformation

Question 11

What are 3 evaluation points?

Answer 11

• Programs relatively easy to administer: clear rules for staff
• Difficult to transfer to home environment
• Staff may not be committed