Behaviour modification in custody
Behaviourist Principles
● If all human behaviour is learned, then it should be possible to encourage the unlearning of
behaviour by applying the same principles that brought it about in the first place.
● Behaviour modification programmes- aim to reinforce obedient behaviour in offenders whilst
punishing disobedience, so it becomes extinct.
● Use of the token economy system.
Token economy
● Operant conditioning.
● Within the walls of the prison, desirable behaviour may take many forms- likely to involve
avoiding conflict, following prison rules and keeping one’s cell orderly.
● A token is given each time they perform a desirable behaviour.
● Tokens are secondary reinforcers because they derive their value from their association with a
reward.
● Rewards: phone call to a loved one, time in the gym, food or extra cigarettes.
1
Behaviourist Principles
● If all human behaviour is learned, then it should be possible to encourage the unlearning of
behaviour by applying the same principles that brought it about in the first place.
● Behaviour modification programmes- aim to reinforce obedient behaviour in offenders whilst
punishing disobedience, so it becomes extinct.
● Use of the token economy system.
Token economy
● Operant conditioning.
● Within the walls of the prison, desirable behaviour may take many forms- likely to involve
avoiding conflict, following prison rules and keeping one’s cell orderly.
● A token is given each time they perform a desirable behaviour.
● Tokens are secondary reinforcers because they derive their value from their association with a
reward.
● Rewards: phone call to a loved one, time in the gym, food or extra cigarettes.
1
