16.1.19

Behavioural Treatments & Therapies

Test yourself

Token Economy for Behavioural Treatment of Prison Inmates

The token economy is a system of rewards based on the principles of operant conditioning. The concept is to modify behaviour and promote good behaviour by providing tokens.

Illustrative background for Operant conditioning Illustrative background for Operant conditioning  ?? "content

Operant conditioning

  • Operant conditioning is based on the principles of reinforcement of behaviour deemed appropriate or good and punishments for behaviour deemed inappropriate or bad.
  • The token economy, used with various groups like school children and prison inmates, is based on these principles.
    • Good behaviour is rewarded with tokens for meeting specific goals of behaviour.
    • Tokens can be saved up and spent to gain rewards.
Illustrative background for EffectivenessIllustrative background for Effectiveness ?? "content

Effectiveness

  • The token economy must be completely adhered to for it to be effective.
  • Several rules have to be put in place for it to be successful.
Illustrative background for RulesIllustrative background for Rules ?? "content

Rules

  • No other rewards or tokens outside of the system should be given, otherwise the tokens would have no value.
  • The ‘good’ behaviour that the prison wants inmates to have must be clearly defined.
  • To encourage participation, a selection of rewards must be put in place to appeal to the majority of inmates.
Illustrative background for Rules cont.Illustrative background for Rules cont. ?? "content

Rules cont.

  • Inmates must be told specifically the reasons behind receiving tokens.
  • The token:reward value must be clearly established.
    • For example, how many tokens does it take to receive a bag of crisps.
  • The amount of tokens received for particular behaviours must also be clearly addressed.
    • For example, keeping your cell neat and tidy will earn you 5 tokens.

Token Economy Evaluation

The programme has strengths and weaknesses.

Illustrative background for StrengthsIllustrative background for Strengths ?? "content

Strengths

  • The programme has been seen as a success by studies such as Milan and McKee (1976).
  • They studied a block of inmates who participated in three conditions:
    • Those that underwent normal prison methods.
    • Those that underwent a system of behaviour modification with no tokens.
    • Those that underwent a full token economy.
Illustrative background for __Milan and McKee (1976)__ findingsIllustrative background for __Milan and McKee (1976)__ findings ?? "content

Milan and McKee (1976) findings

  • Milan and McKee (1976) found that monitored behaviours like getting up on time and keeping their cell tidy did best in the full token economy.
Illustrative background for WeaknessesIllustrative background for Weaknesses ?? "content

Weaknesses

  • A weakness is the short lasting effects of the token economy.
  • A study by Kirigin et al. (1982) examined a token economy put in place with juvenile delinquents.
  • The programme was effective during the course of the programme.
  • However the rates of criminal behaviour (such as truancy) returned to the control level rates after the programme was complete.
Illustrative background for Ethical issuesIllustrative background for Ethical issues ?? "content

Ethical issues

  • Another weakness would be the ethical issues raised by the implementation of a token economy.
  • It could be considered unethical to withhold things like food and water.
  • For a token economy to work best in a prison environment, withholding those items may be necessary.
  • However, food and drink, to most people, are considered a right and not a privilege.

Anger Management as Therapy

Anger management is a therapy whereby participants are taught to control their aggression and anger. It has been used to treat violent criminals.

Illustrative background for TherapyIllustrative background for Therapy ?? "content

Therapy

  • Anger management is a form of cognitive behavioural therapy.
  • The participants are taught to identify their anger and aggression.
Illustrative background for Role of the therapist Illustrative background for Role of the therapist  ?? "content

Role of the therapist

  • The therapist helps the participant to challenge their anger and aggression.
  • The therapist works with them to prevent their angry thoughts from turning into aggressive behaviours.
  • They also teach simple acts like counting to 10 and breathing exercises to help control the anger.
Illustrative background for Anger and crimeIllustrative background for Anger and crime ?? "content

Anger and crime

  • The participants are taught to control their anger to decrease their levels of violence.
  • It works on the principle that aggression and anger lead to violent criminal acts.
  • Therefore reducing the former, reduces the latter.
Illustrative background for GoalsIllustrative background for Goals ?? "content

Goals

  • The ultimate goal is to reduce violent acts committed by the prisoner both in and out of prison.
  • Prisoners need to be made more self-aware and have better control.
  • This could also reduce the likelihood of recidivism.
Illustrative background for The programIllustrative background for The program ?? "content

The program

  • The therapy has been specifically tailored to prison.
  • Generally, the course has weekly two-hour sessions for 8 weeks.
  • Throughout the week, the prisoners are encouraged to keep track of their behaviours, thoughts and emotions.
  • By becoming aware of changes in these thoughts and emotions, it is hoped that they will have more control over them.

Jump to other topics

1Social Influence

2Memory

3Attachment

4Psychopathology

5Approaches in Psychology

6Biopsychology

7Research Methods

8Issues & Debates in Psychology (A2 only)

9Option 1: Relationships (A2 only)

10Option 1: Gender (A2 only)

11Option 1: Cognition & Development (A2 only)

12Option 2: Schizophrenia (A2 only)

13Option 2: Eating Behaviour (A2 only)

14Option 2: Stress (A2 only)

15Option 3: Aggression (A2 only)

16Option 3: Forensic Psychology (A2 only)

17Option 3: Addiction (A2 only)

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson