Behviour Modification Flashcards
What are the principles of behaviour modification?
Behaviourist approach
- criminal behaviour can be unlearnt
- operant conditioning
- token economy system
Explain operant conditioning in terms of behaviour modification in custody
Aim is to reinforce positive behaviour by rewarding them with tokens. Tokens act as secondary reinforcers as they can be exchanged for other things (such as a phone call or time in the gym). Negative behaviour is punished by tokens and privileges being withheld. This is done is hopes of the latter (negative behaviour) dying out - becoming extinct.
What are the steps used in token economy?
- desirable behaviour identified (e.g. avoiding confrontation)
- broken down into increments
- everyone who comes in contact follows same regime
- prison officials monitor progress and effectiveness
AO3: Hobbs and Holt (1976)
Introduced token economy to young delinquents
4 groups (one was control)
Significant difference in positive behaviour compared to control
AO3: Easy to implement
- no expertise needed
- no professionals
- cheap
- easy to do
However Basset and Blanchard found benefits lost if staff inconsistent due to lack of training
AO3: Blackburn (1993): Little rehabilitative value
Changes quickly lost when released
Unlikely to extend beyond custodial setting
Because law abiding behaviour is not always reinforced on outside setting, or because offender receives much greater reward when offending (status in the group may be more powerful)
AO3: ethical issues
Critiques describe this system as manipulative and dehumanising. Suggest that desired behaviour is obligatory. Involves withdrawal of privileges (e.g. contact with loves ones or exercise). So ethically questionable.
AO3: passive token learning
Only deals with surface behaviour. Doesn’t fix underlying cognitive cause (unlike anger management). Explains why recidivism is more likely to happen due to little rehab.
