Behavioural modification

• Behaviourist approach proposes that all behaviour is learned - and therefore should be possible to unlearn behaviour using the same principles. Behaviour modification programs reinforce obedient behaviour whilst punishing disobedience
• Based on operant conditioning - desirable inmate behaviours are rewarded (reinforced) with tokens e.g: avoiding confrontation. Tokens may also be removed = punishment
• Tokens are secondary reinforcers - they are not rewarding in themselves but rewarding because they can be exchanged for something desirable (primary reinforcer)
• Primary reinforcers - a phone call to a loved one, time in the gym, extra cigarettes or food
• Target behaviours are operationalised by breaking them down into component parts. Each unit of behaviour should be objective and measurable and agreed with staff and prisoners in advance
• Staff and prisoners should be made aware of how much each behaviour is worth in terms of tokens. Behaviours are hierachal, some are more demanding than others
• Tokens may be rewarded directly or points may be awarded and converted to tokens. Reinforcements should outnumber punishments by a ratio of 4:1
• Prison staff receive full training. The aim is to standardise procedures - so all prison staff reward the same behaviour. Keep record of what tokens awarded so progress of individual prisoners can be assesed
• One strength of behaviour modification is research support. Hobbs and Holt studied young offenders, those taking part in a token economy program showed more positive behaviours. Field et al found some young offenders didnt respond but did if rewards were more immediate, frequent and positive. This suggests that token economy systems do work
• A counterpoint to the research support is that Basset and Blanchard found any benefits were lost if staff applied the techniques inconsistently due to lack of training or because of high staff turnover (issue of many UK prisons). This suggests that behaviour modification schemes may not be as straightforward to implement as they first appear
• One strength is that it is easy to implement. Behaviour modification does not need a specialist professional involved, whereas other forms of management e,g: anger management. Toek economy systems can be designed and implemented by virtually anyone. They are cost effective and easy to follow once methods have been established. This suggests that behaviour modification techniques can be established in most prisons
• One limitation is there is little rehabilitative value. Some treatments e.g: anger management are longer lasting because they involve understanding causes of, and taking responsibility for, own behaviour. In contrast, offenders can play along with a token economy system to access rewards, but this produces little change in their overall change. This may explain why after prison, offenders may go back to their original behaviour