11. behaviour management: token economy systems Flashcards
Behaviour modification programmes are designed to
reinforce obedient behaviour in offenders while punishing disobedience in the hope that disobedience becomes extinct.
TOKEN ECONOMIES
Are based on
operant conditioning.
TOKEN ECONOMIES
Tokens are not rewarding in themselves but derive their value from
their association with a reward and thus are called secondary reinforcers.
TOKEN ECONOMIES
Prisoners are given a token each time they perform a desirable behaviour.
Each of these behaviours and rewards would be made
clear to the prisoners before the programme is implemented. It would also be emphasised that non- compliance, or disobedience, may result in the tokens (and the associated privileges) being withheld or removed (a form of punishment).
TOKEN ECONOMIES
In a prison the tokens might be exchanged for
a phone call to a loved one, time in the gym or exercise yard, extra cigarettes, or food (all of which are primary reinforcers i.e. they are directly rewarding
DESIGNING AND USING A TOKEN ECONOMY
Operationalise target behaviours: In a token economy, a target behaviour is operationalised by
breaking it down into component parts
DESIGNING AND USING A TOKEN ECONOMY
For instance, the target behaviour may be improved interaction with other prison inmates. This may be broken down into
not touching another prisoner as you pass them, speaking politely to others, etc.
These ‘units’ of behaviour should be objective and measurable and agreed with prison staff and inmates in advance.
DESIGNING AND USING A TOKEN ECONOMY
Scoring system: Staff and prisoners should also be made aware of the scoring system and
how much each particular behaviour is worth.
DESIGNING AND USING A TOKEN ECONOMY
Behaviours are hierarchical in the sense that some are
regarded as more demanding than others so receive greater rewards.
DESIGNING AND USING A TOKEN ECONOMY
Some token economy systems may award tokens directly whereas others may award points which are then converted to tokens.
In either case, the recommendation is
that reinforcements should outnumber punishments by a ratio of 4:1.
DESIGNING AND USING A TOKEN ECONOMY
Train staff: It is important that prison staff are given
full training in order to implement the token economy system successfully.
DESIGNING AND USING A TOKEN ECONOMY
Training may involve several hours for a number of weeks. The aim is to
standardise the procedures so that all prison staff are rewarding the same behaviours in the same way.
DESIGNING AND USING A TOKEN ECONOMY
Staff must also record when they have awarded tokens so
the progress of individual prisoners can be assessed.
AO3: strength of behaviour modification
RESEARCH SUPPORT - Holt
There is evidence to support the effectiveness of behaviour modification.
Holt introduced a token economy programme with groups of young offenders across three behavioural units and a fourth unit as control. They observed a significant difference in positive behaviour compared to the non-token economy group. Field et al. found a token economy programme used with young people with behavioural problems was generally effective, although several people did not respond. Later these youths were placed on a special programme where the rewards were more immediate and frequent, the results were more positive.
This suggests that token economy systems do work.
AO3: strength of behaviour modification
EASY TO IMPLEMENT
Behaviour modification is relatively straightforward to set up in custody.
The appeal of behaviour modification rests largely upon the case with which it can be administered.
There is no need for a specialist professional to be involved as there would be for other forms of treatment such as anger management. Token economy systems can be designed and implemented by virtually anyone in any institution. They are also cost effective and easy to follow once workable methods of reinforcement have been established.
This suggests that behaviour modification techniques can be established in most prisons and accessed by most prisoners.
