(Token Economy - Dealing With Offending Behaviour: Behaviour Modification In Custody Flashcards
Define the term “Behavioural modification”
A therapeutic technique used to increase or decrease the frequencies of behaviour using operant conditioning
Define the term “operant conditioning “
Learning through reinforcement or punishment. If a behaviour is followed by a desirable consequence, then that behaviour is more likely to occur again in the future
Define the term “ Token economy”
A form of therapy where desirable behaviours are encouraged by the use of selective reinforcements.
Rewards (tokens) are given as secondary reinforcers when individuals engage in correct/socially desirable behaviours. The tokens can them be exchanged for primary reinforcers - food or privileges
Explain the role “reinforcement” has in token economy
- Operant conditioning
- Prisons given tokens when they perform desirable behaviours
- Tokens can be exchanged for desirable goods
- Items purchased with tokens will act as reinforcers
- Target behaviour must be specified and there may be a hierarchy where some behaviours get more tokens than others
Explain the role of “punishment” in token economy
- Removal of tokens because of undesirable behaviour could be a punishment
Explain the role of “shaping” in token economy
Complex behaviours can be taught through shaping, whereby tokens are given for behaviours that become more complex
Who conducted the key study of token economy and when?
Hobbs and Holt
1976
What was the aim of the study conducted by Hobbs and Holt?
To reduce inappropriate social behaviour before and after dinner and when lining up
Outline the procedure of the study conducted by Hobbs and Holt (1976)
- Staff given extensive training :3x4 hours and then twice weekly over 3 months
- To identify target behaviours, and discuss methods of observing and recording data
- 125 delinquent males were observed living in 4 cottages. One cottage was a control group where the boys didn’t receive tokens
- Data collection methods were used.
- Boys were told the target criteria and how many tokens they could earn in each category.
- They were taken to the token economy store once a week where they could buy sweets, toys and cigarettes. Or save tokens and use for expensive, off campus activities
What were the data collection methods used in Hobbs and Holts 1976 study on the token economy at Alabama’s Boys industrial school?
1) Following cottage rules
2) Following instructions of cottage supervisor
3) Before dinner: following rules of group games, completing assigned chores
4) After dinner : interacting with peers 30-50% of the time
5) Walking in a straight line
6) Any inappropriate behaviour was scored
Outline the findings of Hobbs and Holts (1976) study on the token economy
- Control group showed no increase in social behaviours
- Before tokens the percentages for the three groups were 66% 47% and 73%.
- Post tokens there was an average increase of 27%
AO3
What is an advantage of token economy over other methods of rehabilitation?
P: Token economy is clearly defined and easy to implement
E: improves prison environment for both prisoners and staff. Can be implemented without trained psychologists. Sufficient pre planning needs to go in and staff just be consistent in the way the reward tokens. Study by Basset showed a failing economy system improved by re establishing consistency
E: Suggests as long as the token economy is clear and consistent, it can provide a simple and cost effective way of improving prison life
AO3
Is the use of the token economy successful?
P: Depends where it is used. Has been less successful with prison populations.
E: In the 70s was popular in the US, used in nearly all the states. Criminal behaviour diminished and social behaviour increased. Fell out of favour because good behaviour did not persist. UK-limited to young offenders.
Successful - in schools and dealing with people with autism.
E: Although fallen out of favour in prisons, it is still used successfully elsewhere.
AO3
Is token economy effected by the short term or long term?
P: Short term effects - improving prison environment. Long term?
E: Research -Little effects on reoffending rates due to operant conditioning - once rewards cease, the stimulus response link is extinguished. Certain prison behaviours may not be applicable to real life. Should be rewarded for more ‘natural’ behaviours for real life. - research found successful for disabled adults
E: Suggests that token economies give the illusion of changing behaviour but don’t actually have a lasting effect
AO3
Are different individuals affected differently by token economy?
P: Some people respond better to operant conditioning than others
E: Young delinquents = successful. Research - less likely to reoffend after a year
Males = unsuccessful - 92 men in Canadian max hospital = 50% reoffend
E: Shows more effective with younger pupils
