behaviour modification in custody

• What approach is this theory based on? And how do they stop offending?

  Behaviourist approach

  -if all behaviour is learnt then it is possible to encourage the unlearning by applying the same principle
• What is the aim of behaviour modification?

  Reinforcing obedient behaviour whilst punishing disobedience
• What type of conditioning is this based on?

  Operant conditioning

  -positive reinforcement increases the likelihood of behaviour
• How does a token economy work?

  You get a token for desirable behaviour Performed which can later be swapped for a reward
• How does punishment work in token economy?

  You get punished for performing undesirable behaviour and are withdrawn from privileges
• How do we change behaviour? (Steps)

  -behaviour is identified

  -behaviour is Broken down unit smaller steps called increments
• Who oversees token economy programmes?

  -prison staff
• What research is there to support this and who were they?

  -Hobbs and holt introduced toke economy programme with groups of young delinquents across 3 behaviour units and a 4th one as control

  -and they found that there was a significant differences in positive behaviour compared to the non-token economy group
• Who later on supported this research?

  -a similar effect was found with offenders in an adult prison (allyon)
• E-Strength-easy to implement


  -easy to implement

  -cost effective and no special training is required compared to anger management
• E-Limitation-depends on consistently


  -depends on consistency

  -basset and Blanchard found any benefits were lost after staff applied the techniques inconsistently due to factors such as a lack of appropriate training of staff or high staff turnover
• E-limitation-little rehabilitation value


  -little rehabilitative value

  -Blackburn argues that's it has little rehabilitative value and that any positive changes in behaviour that occurred in prison can be quickly lost in the outside world

  -because law abiding citizens in the outside are not rewarded of reinforced
• E-limitation-ethical issues


  -ethical issues

  -terms and conditions of behaviour modification are manipulative and dehumanising

  -for not consenting to sign up for toke economy they will be withdrawn from these privileges

  -and so ethically questionable
• what are the A03 points

  depends on consistency

  little rehabilitation value

  ethical issues

  easy to impliment