Behaviour Mod A01

• Behaviourist principles


  If all behaviour is learned we can unlearn behaviour by applying the same principles that bought it in the first place.
• Behaviour modification

  Aims to enforce obedient behaviour in offenders whilst punishing disobedience in hopes the former continues. This is is used in prison as a token economy system.
• Token economy


  Based on operant conditioning, this reinforces desirable behaviour with rewards. Desirable behaviour may be avoiding conflict, following prison rules.
• Secondary reinforcers


  Prisons are given these tokens for performing desirable behaviour. Tokens are secondary reinforcers as they derive their value from association with a reward.
• Examples of rewards


  Phone calls, gym time, food and cigarettes. Vice versa, punishments used as consequences for non-compliance and disobedience leading to withheld privileges.
• Changing behaviour


  In modification programmes, desirable behaviour is first identified, broken down into smaller steps (increments) and baseline measure is established.
• Method of deciding behaviour


  Behaviours that are reinforced are decided, and everyone who comes in contact with offender must follow selective reinforcement. Some prison officers may reinforce a particular prisoner for working positively. Overseen by officials who monitor programmes effectiveness.
• Research example


  Hobbs and Holt introduced token economy programme with group of young delinquents across three behavioural units.
• Hobbs and Holt findings


  Observed a significant difference in positive behaviour compared to non-economy group. Similar effects found in adult prisons