behaviour modification in custody- token economies

Question 1

what is behaviour modification based on?

Answer 1

behaviour modification is based on the idea that criminal behaviour can be learned and unlearned which is based upon behaviourist principles of opperant conditioning

Question 2

how are token economys used?

Answer 2

appopriate and desirable behaviour is rewarded with a token that can be exchanged- e.g sweets money cigs
non compliance would result in tokens taken away

Question 3

what are primary reinforcers and what are secondary reinforcers?

Answer 3

tokens- secondary reinforcers
rewards- primary reinforcers

Question 4

how are target behaviours operationalised

Answer 4

target behaviours are broken down into conponant parts- e.g improved interaction with prison inmates- broken down by speaking politley

Question 5

what is the scoring system?

Answer 5

behaviours are higherarchal so some behaviours may have more value and be ascribed more rewards than others

Question 6

what happens when staff are trained?

Answer 6

training may involve several hours for a few weeks
the aim is too standardise procedures so all staff are rewarding the same behaviours in the same way