Forensics: Behaviour Modification AO3

Question 1

Research support for effectivness of beh mod

Answer 1

One strength of behaviour modification in custody is that it has evidence to support its effectiveness.
Hobbs and Holt (1976) Introduced a token economy program with groups of young offenders across three behavioural units and one control.
• They observed a significant difference in positive behaviour compared to the non-token economy group.
• Field at et (2004) also found a token economy program used with young people with behavioural problems was generally effective, although there were still a number of young people who did not respond.
• Later these youths were placed on a special program where the rewards were more immediate and more frequent which lead to more positive results.rese

Question 2

Counter to succes of beh mod

Answer 2

However the success of such systems depends on a consistent approach from prison staff.
• Bassett and Blanchard (1977) found that benefits were lost if staff applied the techniques inconsistently.
• Something that happens quite a lot, according to researchers due to factors such as inappropriate staff training or high staff turnover.
All of this research suggests that behaviour modification systems can work well, but will only do so if full and consistent staff participation is ensured.

Question 3

Easy to implement

Answer 3

Another strength of behaviour modification is that it is relatively straightforward to set up and run in custody.
• No need for specialist professionals to be involved as they would be for other forms of treatment.
• Token economy systems can be designed and implemented by virtually anyone in the institution.
• Cost-effective
• Easy to follow once systems have been established.
This suggests that behaviour modification techniques can be established in most prisons and accessed by most prisoners

Question 4

Little rehabilitative value

Answer 4

One limitation of behaviour modification is that it may not affect long-term behaviour.
Blackburn (1993) suggests that any positive changes in behaviour made whilst in prison would quickly be lost when prisoners are released.
• Token economy systems do not require the offender to understand the cause of their offending and take responsibility for their rehabilitation.
It is easy to fake it and play along in a token economy system in order to get the rewards.
Doesn’t change overall character.
This could explain why, once the token economy is discontinued, and offender may quickly regress back to former habits and maybe cognitive based treatments, such as anger management would be more successful.