Behaviour modification

• What does this theory say ?

  Behaviour is learnt so it can be I learnt
• what does behavioural modification involve ?

  • token economy

  - principles of operant conditioning

  • behaviours and rewards must be clearly specified in a hierarchy
  • punishment is to remove tokens
• What is the process of token economy ?

  1. Tokens paired with rewarding stimulus+ become the secondary reinforcer
  2. patient engages in the desirable behaviour or reduce inappropriate behaviour
  3. prisoner is given tokens
  4. prisoner trades tokens for rewards e.g tv, calls, gym time
• Who supports token economy ?

  Hobbs + holt
• What did Hobbs and holt do ?


  Token economy in 125 alabama boys industrial school

  • aim is to reduce inapropriate social behaviour
  • control group no tokens
  • staff had extensive training
  • weekly sessions to observe
  • boys told the desirable behaviours + rewards
  • once a week taken to a shop toe change or for an outside tip
• What were Hobbs and holt findings ?

  66- 91%

  47-81%

  73-94%

  control group had no change
• Evaluation ?

  • research support
  • practical applications - school
  • cohen + flipzac
• Cohen + flipzac 


  Token economy worked in adult prisons as less likely to reoffend within 2 years of release

  however within 3 years recidivism rates increased