BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION AND CORRECTIONS - CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE POTENTIAL

• NCJ Number: 10907
• Author(s): J COSTELLO
• Date Published: 1972
• Length: 105 pages
• Grant Number(s): NI 72-006-PO
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

RESEARCH IN THE APPLICATION OF OPERANT CONDITIONING PROCEDURES IN THE FIELD OF JUVENILE CORRECTIONS.

Abstract

AN OPERANT BEHAVIOR IS ONE WHICH IS VOLUNTARILY CONTROLLED AND IS PRODUCED BY SKELETAL MUSCLES AND NEUROLOGICAL INNERVATION. ITS MOST DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTIC IS THAT ITS FORM AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE ARE CONTROLLED BY THE CONSEQUENCES WHICH THE BEHAVIOR PRODUCES. THIRTEEN STUDIES OF CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS WHICH USE BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION AS A REHABILITATION TECHNIQUE ARE PRESENTED. THEY INCLUDE THE KENNEDY YOUTH CENTER AND THE SOUTHWEST INDIAN YOUTH CENTER, WHICH EMPLOY THE TOKEN REINFORCEMENT SYSTEM. IN THIS SYSTEM PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES IN EDUCATIONAL, VOCATIONAL, COUNSELING AND WORK AREAS ARE SPECIFIED FOR STUDENTS. EACH STUDENT IS AWARDED POINTS WHICH ARE REDEEMABLE FOR PRIVILEGES OR GOODS AT THE COMMISSARY. DEFIANT BEHAVIOR CAUSES THE LOSS OF POINTS. THERE IS A NEED FOR PROCEDURES WHICH ALLOW TRANSFER OF NEWLY ACQUIRED BEHAVIORS FROM THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT TO THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT. A COMPREHENSIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED.