Token Economies

• What is the main premise of behaviour modification in relation to crime?

  Crime can be unlearned through behaviour modification.
• What does behaviour modification aim to reinforce?

  Obedient behaviour and punish disobedient behaviour.
• How does behaviour modification work?

  It uses operant conditioning to promote desirable behaviours.
• What is positive reinforcement in behaviour modification?

  Awarding tokens for desirable behaviour.
• What are tokens in the context of behaviour modification?

  Secondary reinforcers representing real rewards.
• What are primary reinforcers in behaviour modification?

  Rewards that are the primary goal of the program.
• Why is it important to explain the program clearly to inmates and staff?

  To ensure everyone follows the same structure.
• What is shaping in behaviour modification?

  Breaking down desirable behaviour into incremental steps.
• What was the sample size and demographic in Hobbs & Holt's study?

  • 125 delinquent males
  • Age range: 12-15 years
  • Mean age: 14 years 4 months
  • IQ range: 50-137 (mean of 75)
  • 30% mildly or moderately retarded
  • 65% black, 35% white
• What target behaviours were agreed upon by staff in the cottages?

  Following rules, completing chores, interacting with peers.
• How was behaviour tracked in the cottages?

  Through a daily behaviour chart marked by supervisors.
• What could tokens be exchanged for in the program?

  Drinks, sweets, trinkets, toys, games, cigarettes.
• What was the duration of data collection in the study?

  14 months.
• What were the improvements in target behaviours for each cottage?

  • Cottage A: 66% to 91.6%
  • Cottage B: 46.7% to 80.8%
  • Cottage C: 73.2% to 94.2%
• What is a limitation regarding the maintenance of behaviour change after release?

  No data is available on behaviour change maintenance.
• What ethical issue is raised by behaviour modification programs?

  Conflict of interests between staff and boys' needs.
• What evidence supports the effectiveness of token economies?

  • Cohen and Filipcjack (1971) study
  • Boys with TE less likely to reoffend after 1-2 years
  • Similar reoffending rates after 3 years
• What is a strength of the token economy program?

  It is relatively easy to implement.
• What is a weakness of token economy programs?

  They offer little rehabilitative value.
• Why might positive changes in offenders be lost after release?

  Rewards are removed after release.
• What ethical concerns are associated with behaviour modification?

  It may be seen as dehumanising and manipulative.
• How do offenders in a token economy system differ from those in anger management?

  TE offenders learn superficially without reflection.
• What are the criticisms of token economy programs?

  • Little rehabilitative value
  • Ethical concerns about manipulation
  • Offenders are passive recipients
  • Lack of long-term behaviour change