Dealing with Offending Behaviour - Behaviour Modification

Question 1

Based on Behaviour Principles

Answer 1

• Since behaviour is learned, can be unlearned through conditioning
• programs aim to reinforce obedient behaviour + punishing/extinguishing disobedience
• Done through token economy system (TES)

Question 2

What is a Token Economy System?

Answer 2

• Reinforces desirable behaviour w/ a token that is exchanged for rewards
• Rewards can be phone calls, gym time, cigarettes etc.
• Tokens are secondary reinforcers

Question 3

TES - Operationalised Target Behaviours

Answer 3

• Desirable behaviour is identified + broken down
• Each unit should be subjective + memorable
• Behaviours to be reinforced are decided beforehand

Question 4

TES - Scoring System

Answer 4

• Staff + prisoners should be aware of how much each behaviour is worth
• Reinforcement should outnumber punishment
• Staff should be fully trained + keep full records

=> procedures should be standardised

Question 5

(S) Research Support for BM

Answer 5

Hobb + Holt (1976) - Studied young offenders in a TES - showed more +ve behaviour

Field et al (2004) - found some young offenders didn’t respond but did if rewards were more immediate, frequent and positive

Suggest => token economies work

Question 6

(L) Counter to Research Support for BM - Basset + Blanchard (1977)

Answer 6

Found benefits were lost if staff were inconsistent from lack of training + high staff turnover

Suggests => behaviour modification schemes may not be straightforward to implement

Question 7

(S) BM is easy to implement

Answer 7

• Doesn’t need a specialist involved like with anger management
• can be designed + implemented by anyone - cost effective + easy to follow

Suggests => BM techniques can be established in most prisons + accessed by prisoners

Question 8

(L) Little Rehabilitative Value

Answer 8

• Treatment like anger management are longer lasting as they involve understanding cause of offending + taking responsibility
• Offenders can play along w/ TES to access rewards but w/ little change in overall character

Suggests => once TE is discontinued, offender may regress to old ways

Question 9

AO3 Extra - Ethical Issues - Mayo + Actenberg

Answer 9

✅ BM is associated with low conflicts + stress for staff & high success in managing prisoners

BUT - ❌ critics say it’s manipulative + dehumanising - human rights campaigners argue withdrawal of privileges is unethical

Suggests => the question of whether BM is successful may depend on whose perspective