individualistic theories affecting policy - BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION

Question 1

what are the aims of BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION?

Answer 1

1. promotes desirable behaviours
2. extinguish undesirable behaviours

Question 2

what THEORY supports BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION?

Answer 2

BANDURA’S SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY

Question 3

what is TOKEN ECONOMY?

Answer 3

a token economy for offenders is a reward system USED WITHIN PRISONS to ENCOURAGE GOOD BEHAVIOUR FROM OFFENDERS by giving them tokens that they can then EXCHANGE FOR SOMETHING THEY WOULD LIKE

Question 4

what is needed for token economies to work in prison?

Answer 4

1. there needs to be clear definition of what constitutions good behaviour
2. there cant be deprivation of basic needs e.g. tokens shouldnt be used to cover basic human rights such as food, clothing, bedding
3. rewards must be consistent
4. there should be gradual increase in the expectation and level of good behaviour

Question 5

does TOKEN ECONOMY work?

Answer 5

• short term effectiveness but long term it doesn’t necessarily work
• beyond prisons, this sort of reinforcement doesnt continue to work
• effective for both adult and young offenders