Dealing with offending behaviour: behaviour modification. Flashcards
What at is behaviour modification?
An application of the behaviourist approach to treatment.
Based on principle of operant conditioning.
How can behaviourist principles be applied to offending?
Believes all behaviour is learned (including criminal behaviour) and so can be unlearned.
Behaviour modification focus on reinforcing obedient behaviours in offenders and punishing disobedient.
What are the two components to token economy?
Primary and secondary reinforcers
What is token economy based on?
Operant conditioning- given a token (reward) each time they complete a desirable behaviour.
What is the difference in token economy between a primary and a secondary reinforcer?
Secondary reinforcer- the token that is given in exchange for the primary reinforcer- the actual reward they may want e.g a sweet treat.
Why is it important to operationalise token economies?
Breaking the behaviour down into component parts so the behaviour is objective and measurable- this will prevent inconsistency in the token economy system.
How does the scoring system work in a token economy?
Staff/prisoners made aware of scoring system and how much each behaviour is “worth”.
Why is it important for staff to be trained in a token economy system?
To standardise procedures so that all prison staff are rewarding the same behaviours in the same way.
Staff must also record when they have awarded token so the progress of prisoners can be assessed.
What might be a weakness of token economy?
Participation in the scheme is obligatory rather than optional, human rights campaigners argue that withdrawal of ‘privileges’, such as exercise (in the form of withdrawal of tokens), is unethical.
What did Blackburn (1993) say about the long term effects of token economy?
has ‘little rehabilitative value and any positive changes in behaviour that may occur whilst an offender is in prison may quickly be lost when they are released.
What did Hobbs and Holt (1976) find when comparing a token economy group to a non-token economy group of inmates?
significant difference in positive behaviour compared to the non-token economy group.
Why might token economy be easier than say, anger management programmes?
There is no need for a specialist professional to be involved as there would be for other forms of treatment such as anger management (see next spread).
What can happen if staff apply token economies inconsistently?
benefits were lost if staff applied the techniques inconsistently- this was due to factors such as lack of appropriate staff training or high staff turnover.
