DEALING WITH OFFENDER BEHAVIOUR: BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION AO1 & AO3

Question 1

Behaviour Modification (Dealing with Offending Behaviour)

Answer 1

• Behaviour modification programmes aim to reinforce obedient behaviours in offenders whilst punishing disobedient behaviours.
• Many prisons use a Token Economy System (TES) which is managed by prison staff.

Question 2

Token economy

Answer 2

• Token economy is based on the principles of operant conditioning, and involves reinforcing desirable
  behaviour with a token that can be exchanged for a reward.
• Prisoners are given a token each time they perform a desirable behaviour.
• The tokens are secondary reinforcers because they are associated with a reward.
• Disobedience may result in the tokens and associated privileges being removed as punishment.

Question 3

Miltenberger

Answer 3

• identified seven components of a token economy: Some of which included, targeting behaviours, reinforcements are identified, exchange criterion, reinforcement schedule.

Question 4

reward of tes

Answer 4

• One reward from TES is a conjugal visit is a scheduled visit where an inmate of a prison is permitted to spend several hours in private with a visitor/spouse.
• They may engage in sexual activity.
• These visits are good as a build up of testosterone can lead to sexual frustration and having some form of healthy sexual release reduces the sexual/physical violence in prisons

Question 5

One strength of TES is that there is supporting research to demonstrate its effectiveness in enhancing desirable behaviours.

Answer 5

• For example, Hobbs and Holts found across 3 behavioural units, a TES was introduced, and found the token economy groups showed a significant difference in the amount of positive behaviour.
• Similarly, the same was also found in adult institutions. This shows that findings are consistent across all age groups.
• This is an advantage as it’s effective in strengthening desirable behaviours, through the principles of positive reinforcement.
• Therefore increasing the validity of the theory.

Question 6

One limitation of TES is that it has short term effectiveness.

Answer 6

• For example, Cohen and Filipczak found after 2 years, the token economy groups were less likely to have reoffended, yet after 3 years, rates of recidivism went back to reflecting national statistics.
• This means TES is not a permanent solution to dealing with offending behaviour.
• This is a disadvantage as it simply delays recidivism from occurring, and so it isn’t an adequate solution.

Question 7

One limitation of TES is that it’s an unethical way of dealing with offending behaviour.

Answer 7

• For example, offenders aren’t given the option if they want to participate in the token economy.
• This means they are unable to gain informed consent which is highly unethical, as participants have to partake against their own free will.
• Furthermore, withdrawal of privileges (exercise/phone) may also be ethically questionable.
• These things are fundamentally important for the well being of prisoners and could link to higher rates of
  recidivism without these healthy coping mechanisms.
• Therefore, anger management programmes may be a more ethical method

Question 8

One limitation of TES is it has limited application in the real world.

Answer 8

• For example, Blackburn suggests TES has little rehabilitative value as any positive changes may quickly be lost when offenders are released.
• This suggests it’s a superficial fix, that does nothing to change the way a person thinks on a deeper level. In everyday life you don’t get rewarded for not hurting people. Thus it’s a great method for inside prisons but not much more than that.
• This is a disadvantage as it doesn’t tackle the root cause as to why people are offending; it just manages the problem whilst in prison