Psychology 9-1 GCSE - 

6.1.4 - Understand two treatments to rehabilitate and reduce criminal and antisocial behaviour and increase pro-social behaviour, including strengths and weaknesses of each treatment:

a) Token Economy Programmes - 

Use the principles from operant conditioning as a behaviour modification technique. The focus is on the offender and the guard identifying. What the desired behaviour is e.g not swearing or getting into a fight and are therefore used to encourage pro-social behaviour. If the offender does the desired behaviour they are given a token - this acts as a secondary reinforcer that can be traded in for a primary reinforcer which meets a basic need. This acts as a way of reinforcing the good behaviour. It is important that an exchange rate is established, this determines how many tokens are required for the reward to be given.

Strengths - 

• Milby found that TEP were successful in psychiatric hospitals however follow up studies are needed to say if effects lasted.
• Dickerson found TEP were successful in obtaining desired behaviour in schizophrenia.
• Both the above studies not specifically related to criminal behaviour.
• Field (2004) used TEP in the treatment of young people with behavioural problems.
• This had a positive effect on the whole but still a number who didn't respond.
• No specialist training required, so it is cheap to implement.
• Gives an individual a sense of control over their behaviour to develop independence.
• It accounts for individual differences.

Weaknesses - 

• Success rate is questionable.
• Need careful monitoring or it may become contraband.
• Prisoners need to be engaged with the programme.
• We do not know what happened afterwards.
• Lack of learnt helplessness.

b) Anger Management - 

Uses CBT to help change the inmates thought processes. There are three main steps. Cognitive preparation - identify triggers. Identify effects this behaviour has on others. Skill acquisitions - Taught to deal with triggers. Application practise - Role play to show how the skills can be used in a safe environment.

Strengths - 

• Pearson conducted a meta-analysis which found CBT reduced recidivism, while token economy programmes did not work.
• Ireland found after 10 weeks offenders assigned to the anger management group showed improvements in anger related behaviour compared to the control group.
• Dowden et al found the programme was successful in reducing recidivism.
• Studies show the success of anger management programmes from self report data.

Weaknesses - 

• Loza & Loza Fonous (1999) tests anger levels in violent criminals and argues that anger management is ineffective with non violent offenders.
• It has been claimed that they turn physical violence to verbal or emotional abuse.
• Prisoners can lie on the self report.
• Many studies do not look into the future of these patients.