Behavioural modification Flashcards
Define behaviour modification.
An application of the behaviourist approach to treatment (such as the management of offenders in penal institutions). Based on the principles of operant conditioning. General aim is to replace undesirable behaviours with more desirable ones through the selective use of positive and/or negative reinforcement.
Outline token economies as a form of behaviour modification.
Desirable behaviour is rewarded (e.g. avoiding confrontation). Tokens are given to exchange for goods such as phone cards, these are secondary reinforcers as they derive value from association with the reward.
Non-compliance leads to punishment (e.g. loss of phone privileges).
Reinforcement increases the likelihood of a desired behaviour being repeated.
Outline the process of how token economies are set up to change behaviour.
With all modification programs the desired behaviour is identified (e.g. avoiding confrontation), broken down into small steps called increments and a baseline is established. The behaviours to be reinforced are decided upon.
Outline the findings of Cohen and Filipczack (1971).
How do they support the effectiveness of token economies?
Token economy groups showed more desirable behaviour than control groups. After two years, the token economy groups were less likely to have reoffended.
However, after 3 years, rates of recidivism went back to reflecting national statistics.
While token economies may have positive effects in the short term, their impact might not be effective over an extended period. May be due to other factors such as the transition to life outside of the controlled environment, the absence of immediate rewards.
Outline the findings of Hobbs and Holt (1976).
How do they support the effectiveness of token economies?
Across 3 behavioural units of young delinquents, a token economy system was introduced. A 4th institution for young offenders acted a control condition.
The token economy groups showed a significant difference in the amount of positive behaviour compared to control group.
Similar results were also found in adult institutions (Allyon, 1979).
Outline the findings of Bassett and Blanchard (1977).
How do they limit the effectiveness of token economies?
Found that the benefit of token economy systems, that it is easy to implement unlike anger management, were lost when staff applied rules inconsistently due to lack of training or high staff turnover.
Discuss ethical issues with behavioural modification. Refer to Moya and Achtenberg (1974).
Offenders are not given the option of whether they participate in the token economy or not. Although ultimately they can decide whether or not to comply, critics have suggested (Moya and Achtenberg 1974) that the withdrawal of privileges e.g. exercise or phone calls to love ones, ethically questionable.
Discuss the issue with behaviour modification of little rehabilitative value.
Refer to Blackburn (1993).
Token economies, according the Blackburn (1993), have little rehabilitative value as any positive changes may quickly be lost when offenders are released. Progress is not rewarded/reinforced on the outside. Rewards the offender receives from breaking the law (such as group status) may be more powerful than abiding by the token economy.
