Behaviour Modification

Question 1

What is behaviour modification

Answer 1

• behaviourist approach proposed all behaviour is learned & unlearnt
• behaviour modification reinforce obedience & punishment
• token economies are based on operant conditioning
• tokens are exchanged for something desirable

Question 2

Staff training & operationalising target behaviours

Answer 2

• Target behaviours are operationalised by breaking them down into component parts
• each unit of behaviour should be subjective measurable & agreed in advance
• how much each behaviours is worth in tokens
• behaviours are hierarchical
• prison staff receive full training

Question 3

Strength
- research support

Answer 3

Hobbs & Holt - studied young offenders
The pp taking part in token economies shows more positive behaviours

Field et al - found young offenders didn’t respond but did if rewards were more immediate & frequent

Question 4

Strength
- easy to implement

Answer 4

• behaviour modification doesn’t need a specialist professional
• token economy’s can be designed/implemented by virtually anyone
•cost effective & easy to follow

Question 5

Limitation
- little rehabItative value

Answer 5

• Some treatments are longer lasting as they involve understanding causes
• Offenders can play along w token economy but this makes no/little change to behaviour