Unit 4 3.2 - Achieving Social Control Behavioural

Question 1

ASBOs/Antisocial behaviour orders (1): Info

Answer 1

Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (introduced in 1998) to limit & correct low-level anti-social behaviour, which often involved swearing & drinking
However, ASBOs came with controversy and many critics suggested persistent offenders viewed them as desirable and a ‘badge of honour’
They were regularly breached and, according to the civil rights group - Liberty, 55% of ASBOs were breached in 2009
Replaced by Criminal Behaviour Orders
The CBO is available under the Anti-social, Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act (2014)
Used against anti-social offenders who have committed behaviour that caused harassment, alarm & distress (same test)
Under the order, individuals would be banned from taking part in certain activities or certain places, and would be required to try change their behaviour - e.g. by attending a drug treatment programme (main difference)

Question 2

ASBOs/Antisocial behaviour orders (2): Evaluation

Answer 2

Strengths:
Displays there is punishment for even the most minor offences (Proportionality)
an now implement various programmes that help combat root causes (E.G: drug treatment)

Weaknesses:
Between 2000-2013: 58% of ASBOs were breached
Labelling theorists argue that the label of having an ASBO can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy, where the individual internalises the label
ASBOs became a ’badge of honour’ for some young offenders, reinforcing rather than reducing their behaviour

Acheiving Social Control:
ASBOs can work as a form of physical coercion, as the individual’s behaviour is restricted by the conditions they must meet (i.e. only meeting certain people) which controls their behaviour, forcing them to conform

Question 3

Token Economies

Answer 3

A form of behaviour modification that increases desirable behaviour & decreases undesirable behaviour - with the use of tokens
These tokens can be exchanged for a certain object or privilege
Utilises operant conditioning through rewarding positive behaviour & punishing negative behaviour

Strengths:
Field (2004): TEs have a largely positive effect on young people’s behaviour
Outlines what is right/wrong behaviour in society - positive boundary maintenance
Tokens can be given in proportion: i.e. a highly desirable behaviour = more tokens’

Weaknesses:
Relies on motivation & effort from prisoners to properly work
Tokens need to be carefully monitored, otherwise may become tradable between prisoners - could cause disputes
Success rate is inconsistent, as there are many extraneous variables that impact effectiveness

Achieving Social Control:
Token Economies promote law-abiding behaviour through positive rewards for positive behaviour, and punishing negative behaviour
This helps to reform & rehabilitate individuals into functioning members of society after internalising its values