Behaviour modification in custody Flashcards
Behaviourist principles
All behaviour is learned and can be unlearned
Behaviour modification programs are designed to reinforce obedient behaviours and punish disobedience
Token economy
Operant conditioning-desirable behaviour to avoid confrontation
Receive token when they perform a desirable behaviour . They can be withdrawn.
The tokens can be exchanged for phone calls, extra gym time, cigarettes or snacks (primary reinforcer)
Designing and using a token economy
Operationalised target behaviour-
units must be objective and measurable
E.g. speak nicely to the prisoners
Scoring system
How much each behaviour is worth-more demanding = more tokens
Tokens may be given directly or points
Gendreau-reinforcements should outnumber punishments by 4:1
Training
Standardisation -Staff need to be trained so they all reward behaviours in the same way
They must also record when they have issued tokens so progress can be assessed
Strengths-research support
Hobbs and Holt- token economy with young offenders, 3 behavioural units 4- a control. Sig diff in positive behaviour compared to non-token economy group
Field et al- token economy used with young people with behavioural problems was effective-later put on a program with more frequent rewards and results were more positive
Limitation-counterpoint
Success depends on consistency in staff
Basset and Blanchard-benefits were lost if staff were inconsistent
Lack of training or high staff turnover
Strength-easy to implement
Easy to set up, cost-effective, easy to follow, can be used in most prisons, can be accessed by most prisoners, no need for specialists
Limitation-little rehabilitative value
May not affect long-term behaviour
Blackdum-positive changes in prison may be lost when they leave
Cognitive based treatments may be more long lasting
May play along in prison just to get rewards
