behaviour modification in custody

• What is the behaviourist approach to human behaviour?

  All human behaviour is learned
• What is the aim of behaviour modification programmes?

  To reinforce obedient behaviour in offenders
• What is a token economy based on?

  Operant conditioning principles
• What behaviours might be considered desirable in a prison setting?

  Avoiding confrontation and following rules
• What do prisoners receive in a token economy for desirable behaviour?

  A token for each desirable behaviour
• What happens if a prisoner does not comply in a token economy?

  Tokens and privileges may be withheld
• What are tokens considered in a token economy?

  Secondary reinforcers
• What can tokens be exchanged for in a prison?

  Phone calls, gym time, or food
• How is a target behaviour operationalised in a token economy?

  By breaking it down into measurable parts
• Why should behaviours in a token economy be objective and measurable?

  To ensure clarity and agreement among staff
• What should staff and prisoners be aware of in a token economy?

  The scoring system and behaviour values
• How are behaviours regarded in a token economy?

  Some are more demanding and receive greater rewards
• What is the recommended ratio of reinforcements to punishments?

  4:1
• Why is staff training important in a token economy?

  To standardise procedures and reward behaviours
• What is the goal of training prison staff in a token economy?

  To ensure consistent behaviour reinforcement
• What are the short-term effects of behaviour modification?

  An increase in compliant behaviour
• What is a limitation of behaviour modification according to Ronald Blackburn?

  It has little rehabilitative value
• Why might offenders regress after a token economy is discontinued?

  They may not change their overall character
• What did Tom Hobbs and Michael Holt find in their study?

  Significant positive behaviour differences
• What did Clinton Field et al. find about token economies?

  They were generally effective but not universal
• What can affect the success of behaviour modification systems?

  Consistent application by prison staff
• What is a strength of behaviour modification in custody?

  It is easy to implement and cost-effective
• Why can token economies be set up by anyone?

  They do not require specialist professionals
• What is a limitation of behaviour modification regarding long-term behaviour?

  Positive changes may be lost after release
• What do cognitive-based treatments require from offenders?

  Understanding the cause of their offending
• How can offenders manipulate a token economy system?

  By playing along to access rewards
• What is the implication of the ease of implementing behaviour modification?

  It can be established in most prisons
• What is the purpose of conjugal visits in prisons?

  To allow sexual interaction with partners
• What has happened to conjugal visits in America?

  They have decreased in many prisons
• What is a potential question regarding behaviour modification in custody?

  Explain how behaviour modification works
• What is a method used to assess behaviour in young offenders?

  Using questionnaires and measuring compliance
• What is the focus of the questions at the end of the study material?

  To evaluate behaviour modification effectiveness
• What is the significance of the control group in Hobbs and Holt's study?

  It allows comparison with the token economy group
• What is the role of immediate rewards in behaviour modification?

  They can enhance the effectiveness of the programme
• What is a potential drawback of high staff turnover in prisons?

  It can lead to inconsistent application of techniques
• What is the implication of the findings from Bassett and Blanchard's research?

  Consistent staff participation is crucial for success
• What is the relationship between behaviour modification and rehabilitation?

  Behaviour modification may lack long-term rehabilitative value
• What is the overall conclusion about behaviour modification systems?

  They can be effective but require consistency
• What is the significance of the scoring system in a token economy?

  It determines the value of behaviours
• How does the token economy relate to primary reinforcers?

  Tokens are exchanged for primary reinforcers