BEHAVIOR PRINCIPLES:
REINFORCEMENT
LEARNING TEAM D
PSY/420
SEPTEMBER 30, 2017
BILL HASLER
Introduction
Positive and Negative Reinforcer’s are used in different
aspects. We will try to find results in using positive or
negative reinforcer’s. In this presentation we will be
reviewing positive and negative reinforcement and what
exactly it is that they entail, in addition to looking at the
positive and negative reinforcement in the prison systems
and the impact it might have on individual.
BEHAVIOR IN A PRISON SETTING
• Prisons are notoriously dangerous places with that are packed with
individual’s that are used to doing whatever they want and to whomever
they want. The inmates range from non violent offenders, gang members
to some of the most dangerous people in the prison system. Separating
these classes of inmates is a difficult process and one that isn’t completely
perfect which leaves nonviolent inmates grouped in with violent inmates.
These situations tend to cause problems with inmates preying on other
inmates or violent confrontations occurring due to the inmates trying to
protect themselves. Efforts to curb behavior in prisons is difficult but not
impossible due to the capabilities the guards have other the inmates. We’re
going to look at some of the positive and negative ways behavior can be
curbed in a prison environment.
Negative Reinforcement for Prisons
• Disciplinary reports
• Punishment varies for offense
• Loss of good time
• Repeat Offenders
• Changes from one facility to another
– High Security
– Medium Security
– Minimum Security
Negative Punishment for Prisons
• Aimed to change behavior
– Taking away tokens/ Privileges
– Put in the Hole
– Extending Sentences
• Psychological effect of Incarceration
• Post traumatic stress syndrome
• Contingency Management programs is consider useful in helping to
provide rehabilitating individuals and creating a safe, productive
environment for both workers and inmates.
NEGATIVE REINFORCERS
• Lockdown
• Loss of privileges
• Restriction from visitation
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
• Solitary confinement
Negative vs Punishment
• Negative punishment – Can be
any form of additional hardship
added to their sentence such as
loss of privileges and more.
• Punishment – Inmate is serving a
sentence for wrongdoings they
were found guilty of.
Strengthening Negative Reinforcement
• Moving – Removing the inmate
from a population to decrease
violence and confusion.
• Bringing someone into the
population that is positive or
friendly.
Negative Punishment Example
Action Consequence Decrease in
Behavior
Inmate starts Inmate is The next time
threatening to approached by the inmate is in
kill another the the population
inmate in the correctional hopefully he
population officers and will not
detained away threaten to kill
from the anyone.
inmates for a
few day in
solitary
confinement
Positive Reinforcement
• Praise
• Learning Opportunities
• Time off Sentence
• Support Groups
Positive Reinforcement Example
Action Reward Conditioned
Response
Inmate is assigned a Correctional Officer Inmate begins to
list of tasks to PRAISES the inmate, complete tasks and
complete such as telling him to take feel good about it,
cleaning a certain pride in his work. He instead of focusing on
room and repainting allows the inmate to the negativity he will
it. The inmate choose his next set of begin to see how his
completes all his tasks. work will help him
tasks without positively.
complaining and
finishes up early.
REFERENCES
• Chamberlin, J. (2009, October). Crime and Punishment. American Psychological Association,
40(9), . Retrieved from [Link]
• Chery, Kendra (2017) What Is Negative Reinforcment: Retrieved from
[Link]
• Controlling Behavior Reward and Punishment (n.d.) Retrieved from
[Link]
• Gendreau, P., Listwan , S, J.,Kuhns, J. B., & Exum, M, L (2014) Making Prisoners
accountable: Are contingency management programs the answer? Criminal justice and
Behavior, 41(3), 1079-1102. doi:10.1177/0093854814540288
• McLeod, S. A. (2015). Skinner - Operant Conditioning. Retrieved from
[Link]/[Link]
• Weebly. (2017). Retrieved from [Link]
[Link]