Behaviour Modification

• Behaviour Modification


  Application of the behaviourist approach to treatment and is based on the principles of operant conditioning. Replace undesirable behaviours with more desirable ones.
• What is an example of behaviour modification?

  Token economy systems
• Behaviourist principles


  All human behaviour is learned so it can be unlearned. Designed to reinforce obedient behaviour and disobedience will die out
• Token Economy

  • Desirable behaviour may be following prison rules and keeping room tidy
  • Every time they perform desirable behaviour they get a token
  • Tokens are secondary reinforcers as their values come from being associated with rewards which are the primary reinforcers
• Using token economy system

  • Target behaviour needs to be operationalised
  • They need to be objective and measurable and agreed between prison staff who will keep record of them
  • A scoring system needs to be agreed with how the tokens will be given
• Training staff

  • Prison staff must be given full training to implement token economy systems effectively
  • Training may be for several hours for a number of weeks
  • Standardised procedures so rewards are equal for everyone
  • Must keep note of who they are giving tokens
• AO3 Behaviour Modification: Research Support

  • A token economy programme with a group of young offenders across three units with the fourth as a control
  • There was a significant difference in positive behaviour compared to control group
  • Token economy systems are effective
• AO3 Behaviour Modification: Trained Staff necessary

  • The success of token economy systems depend on the prison staff being consistent
  • Researchers found that if staff were inconsistent then the benefits were lost
  • This means that token economy systems work if they have consistent staff member with good training
• AO3 Behaviour Modification: Easy to implement

  • It is straightforward to set up so it may be an ideal way to deal with offending behaviour
  • There is no need for a specialist professional as needed for anger management
  • Can be designed and implemented by anyone in any institution
  • They are also cost effective and easy to follow once reinforcement has been established
• AO3 Behaviour Modification: Little rehabilitative value

  • It may not affect long term behaviour
  • Any positive behaviours are not necessarily maintained once outside of prison especially once there are no longer any rewards
  • Cognitive strategies such as anger management may have a more permanent change
  • Token economy systems do not require offenders to understand their actions so their behaviour does not change