Lesson 10 – Behaviour Modification

Question 1

What is behaviour modification?

Answer 1

Behaviour modification- behavioural 🏃‍♂️ therapy- based on principles of operant conditioning (involves systematic use of ➕ & ➖ reinforcement for desired 🏃‍♂️)

Question 2

Define token economy

Answer 2

Token economy- form of 🏃‍♂️ modification used in prisons

Desirable behaviour reinforced with token- can be exchanged for some form of reward

Question 3

Give examples of behaviour which may be rewarded and what the rewards might be in prisons

Answer 3

Desirable 🏃‍♂️ e.g. avoiding conflict 🔪, following prison rules, keeping cell orderly etc
Rewards e.g. 📞 call to loved one, time in gym 💪, access to 💻, extra 🚬, extra food 🍎 etc

Question 4

What type of reinforces are tokens and rewards?

Answer 4

Tokens = secondary reinforcers (exchanged for reward)
Reward = primary reinforcers

Question 5

How do prisoners know about the token economy?

Answer 5

Desirable 🏃‍♂️ and available rewards made clear to prisoners before start of programme
ALSO emphasised that non-compliance or disobedience-> tokens being withheld (➖ punishment)

Question 6

What are the evaluation points of behaviour modification?

Answer 6

👍- easy to administer- ✖️ require expert professionals or specialised equipment- ALSO cost-effective 💵 AND easy to follow
👎- can ONLY be used in controlled environment- ➕ 🏃‍♂️ changes occurred in prison quickly ⚡️ lost once prisoner released- law-abiding 🏃‍♂️ ✖️ always reinforced outside and rewards from breaking law may be powerful
ALSO offenders may be ‘playing along’ with scheme to get rewards and not really learning to change their 🏃‍♂️
👎- some argue unethical- withdrawal of privileges e.g. exercise and contact with loved ones can be physically and psychologically 🧠 harmful
👎- ONLY deals with surface 🏃‍♂️- other treatments go deeper and require offenders to reflect on cause of offending