Behaviour modification in custody Flashcards
1
Q
what is behaviour modification all about ?
A
Skinner and operant conditioning
2
Q
what is meant by behaviour modification ?
A
- an application of the behaviourist approach to treatment based on the principle of operant conditioning
3
Q
How does behaviour modification work ?
A
- undesirable behaviours are replaced with desirable behaviours through the use of positive and negative reinforcement
- reinforce obedient behaviour
- punish disobedient
4
Q
what is meant by token economy ?
A
- involves reinforcing desirable behaviour with a token that can be exchanged for some kind of reward
5
Q
what are examples of obedient behaviours ?
A
- following prison rules
- avoiding conflict
- keep cell tidy
6
Q
what are examples of disobedient behaviors ?
A
- non-compliance
- disobedience
7
Q
what kind of reinforcers are tokens ? and why ?
A
- secondary reinforcers
- because they derive their value from their association to a reward
8
Q
what can tokens be exchanged for ?
A
- a phone call to a loved one
- time in gym or excercise yard
- extra cigarettes
- food
9
Q
what are the steps to changing a behaviour
?
A
- identify the desirable behaviour
- break it down into smaller steps
- establish a base line measure
- the behaviors to be reinforced are decided on and all those that come into contact with the prisoner must also follow the regime of the selective reinforcement
10
Q
AO3
- easy method to implement
A
- there is no need for expertise or professionals as there would be for other forms of treatment such as anger management
- system can be implemented by anyone in any institution
- cost effective
- easy to follow once methods of reinforcement are established
11
Q
AO3
contradiction to easy to implement
A
- system depends on a consistemt approach from prison staff
- John Ballett found any benefits were lost after staff applied technique’s inconsistently due to factors such as lack of appropriate training or high staff turnover
12
Q
AO3
little rehabilitive value
A
- any positive changes in behaviour that may occur whilst the offender is in prison may be quickly lost when they are released
- the token economy system 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 custodial setting
- behaviour is not always reinforced on the outside
13
Q
AO3
ethical issues
A
- terms and conditions of behaviour modification are regarded as manipulative and dehumanizing
- in the institution, participation is obligatory for all offenders rather than optional
- although ultimately the offender can decide wether to comply
- critics have suggested that a programme which may involve withdrawal of privileges such as excercise and contact with loved ones is questionable
