10. token economies Flashcards
what are token economies
involves reinforcing desirable behaviour with a token that can then be exchanged for some kind of award.
within the walls of prison desirable behaviour may take many forms but it is likely to include - avoiding conflict and following prison rules and keeping ones cell orderly.
prisoners are given a token each time they perform a desirable behaviour.
how are token economies secondary reinforces
they derive their value from their association with a reward.
the subsequent award will also vary according to the institution but may include exchanging tokens for a phone call to a loved one and time in the gym or exercise yard and extra cigarettes or food. each of these behaviours and rewards would be made clear to the prisoners before programme is implemented.
also emphasised that non compliance or disobedience may result in the tokens and associated privileges being withheld or removed.
what evidence is there to support token economies - cohen and filipczak
token economy groups showed more desirable behaviour than control groups.
after two years the token economy groups were less likely to have reoffended. however after three years the rates of recidivism went back to reflecting national statistics = suggests that the benefits of behaviour modification may not generalise beyond a prison setting.
what evidence is there to support token economies - hobbs and holt (1976)
across three behavioural units a token economy system was introduced - a fourth institution for young offenders acted as a control condition. the token economy groups showed a significant difference in the amount of positive behaviour. the same was also found in adult institutions.
what evidence is there against token economies - bassett and blanchard
token economies can be implemented by virtually anyone in any institution. they are also cost effective and easy to follow once workable methods of reinforcement have been established.
however benefits of the token economy system were lost when staff applied the rules inconsistently due to lack of training or high staff turnover.
what evidence is there against token economies - moya and achtenburg
in an institution using the token economy system participation in the scheme is obligatory for all offenders rather than optional.
although ultimately the offender can decide whether to comply with the scheme or break the rules critics have suggested that a programme which may involve withdrawal of privileges (exercise and contact with loved ones) is ethically questionable.
what evidence is there against token economies - blackburn
blackburn says that token economies have little rehabilitative value and any positive changes in behaviour that may occur whilst the offender is still in prison may quickly be lost when offenders are released.
the token economy is at its best when establishing appropriate conduct within prison with respect to a very specific set of behaviours but progress is unlikely to extend beyond the custodial sentencing.
this may be because law abiding behaviour is not rewarded/reinforced on the outside or the rewards the offender receives from breaking the law (such as group status) may be more powerful than abiding by the token economy.
