Behavioural Modifictaion

Question 1

What is behaviour modification based of

Answer 1

Operant conditioning = positive negative and punishment

Question 2

Explain behaviour modification through token economy

Answer 2

Reinforcement
- prisoners receive token when showing desirable behaviour
- tokens exchanged for goods = acts a secondary reinforcement
- likely to repeat desirable behaviour

Punishment
- token removed when prisoners show undesirable behaviour

Shaping
- tokens given for behaviour that increasing becomes more complex

Question 3

Strengths of behaviour modification

Answer 3

Reaserch
Effectiveness of token economy for 92 prisoners in a psychiatric hospital, found effective for prisoners, no impact after release short impact but still effective

Clearly defined and easily implemented
- easy for prison staff to think about what behaviours are desirable and make the prisoners increase the,
- help improve prison environment
- little training considered cheap and effective method of controlling unmanageable behaviour

Question 4

Weaknesses of behaviour modification

Answer 4

Limited effect in long term
- more difficult in outside world to receive immediate rewards and punishment for desirable and undesirable behaviour

Unethical
- involves punishment which contravenes human rights
- not considered a reasonable action as it causes psychological harm to the prisoners