Key terms

Behaviour modification - an application of the behaviourist approach to treatment (such as the management of offenders in penal institutions). It is based on the principles of operant conditioning.

The general aim is to replace undesirable behaviours with more desirable ones through the selective use of positive and/or negative reinforcement.

Behaviourist principles

Behaviourist approach - that all human behaviour is learned

Therefore is should be possible to encourage the unlearning of behaviour by application of the same principles.

Behaviour modification programmes are designed with the aim of reinforcing obedient behaviour in offenders, whilst punishing disobedience, in the hope that former continues and the latter dies out.

Use of a token economy system can be managed and co-ordinated by prison staff.

Token economy

Based on operant conditioning, involves reinforcing desirable behaviour with a token which can then be exchanged for a reward. They are secondary reinforcers because they derive their value from their association with a reward.

Each of these behaviours would be made clear to the prisoners before the programme is implemented, also emphasised that non-compliance or disobedience may result in tokens withheld or removed (punishments)

Changing behaviour

Behaviour shaping - the behaviour is identified, broken down into smaller steps called increments and baseline measure is established. Behaviours are reinforced through selective reinforcement. Programme can be overseen by prison officials who are able to monitor how effect it is and individual behaviour.

Research example

Hobbs and Holt introduced token economy programme with groups of young delinquents across 3 behavioural units and 1 control. They observed a significant different in positive behaviour compared to the non-token group. A similiar effect was found with offender in an adult prison (Allyon et al 1979)

Evaluation

• Easy to implement

No need for expert or specialists like anger management, can be implemented by essentially anyone, they are cost-effective and easy to follow once workable methods of reinforcement are established.

However it does depend on the consistent approach from prison staff. Basset and Blanchard found any benefits were lost after staff applied the techniques inconsistently due to lack of appropriate training or high staff turnover.