Behaviour Modification In Custody

Question 1

What does behaviour modification aim to do?

Answer 1

Reinforce obedience and punished disobedience

Question 2

Describe how a token economy is implemented in prison.

Answer 2

Managed by prison staff to modify inmates behaviour based on operant conditioning. Desirable behaviour rewarded.

Question 3

What can prison inmates exchange tokens for?

Answer 3

Something desirable eg. Time in the gym or food etc

Question 4

Explain how tokens are secondary enforcers

Answer 4

They drive value from association with a primary reinforcer.

Question 5

What happens if someone is disobedient.

Answer 5

Tokens removed

Question 6

Explain how desirable behaviour is determined

Answer 6

Desirable behaviour into increments where a baseline is determined.

Question 7

Explain how prison selectively reinforces identified behaviours

Answer 7

All those coming into contact with offenders must follow same regime of selective reinforcement

Eg. Must be consistent when given tokens

Question 8

Describe the research support for behaviour modification (AO3)

Answer 8

Hobbs + Holt
Introduced token economy to groups across 3 behavioural units
Observed a significant difference in positive behaviour compared to non token group (it works)

Question 9

Describe the counter point of the research support (AO3)

Answer 9

Success depends on consistency of prison staff

Basset and Blanchard
Found any benefits lost after inconsistent staff application. Must ensure full consistent staff participation

Question 10

Describe the thical issues surrounding behaviour modification (AO3)

Answer 10

Behaviour modification regarded as manipulative and dehumanising as some participation is obligatory.

Offender who does not comply to the scheme looses privileges (withdraw tokens etc)