Dealing With Offending Behaviour: Behaviour Modification

Question 1

What are behaviour modification programmes?

Answer 1

Programmes which aim to manage and monitor offenders during their sentences to reduce the chances of them reoffending + encourage obedient behaviour.

Question 2

What do behaviour modification programmes operate on?

Answer 2

Operant conditioning.

Question 3

What is the main example of a behaviour modification programmes?

Answer 3

Token economy systems.

Question 4

How do token systems work?

Answer 4

-Offenders are given tokens for obedient behaviour.
-Tokens can be exchanged for rewards e.g extra food, phone call home.
-Disobedient behaviour is punished.

Question 5

What are primary reinforcers?

Answer 5

Essential things needed for survival e.g food.

Question 6

What are secondary reinforcers?

Answer 6

Tokens given in exchange for primary reinforcers.

Question 7

What did Hobbs and Holt find with token systems?

Answer 7

-Studied 125 male criminals and used token economy systems.
-Across 14 months there was a significant increase in desirable behaviours.
-Decreased violence.

Question 8

What do behaviour modification programmes encourage?

Answer 8

Obedience

Question 9

What are 3 weaknesses of behaviour modification programmes?

Answer 9

1. No long term effects.
   Blackburn: positive changes in behaviour likely to be lost when offenders leave prison due to change in setting.
   Only work in prison settings.
2. Ethical issues.
   Moya and Achlenberg: offenders aren’t given option to participate or not - means basic needs are taken if they don’t cooperate.
   May worsen prison life for some.

3.Effectiveness of system is dependent on individual.
Canadian study: 50% of men reoffend despite systems.
Shows offenders may inevitably reoffend.