Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026

Novel Apparatus and Method for Drug Reinforcement
Published on: August 20, 2010
Developing and implementing a positive behavioral reinforcement intervention in prison-based drug treatment: Project
William M Burdon1, Jef St De Lore, Michael L Prendergast
1Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90025, USA. wburdon@ucla.edu
None:
Within prison settings, the reliance on punishment for controlling inappropriate or noncompliant behavior is self-evident. What is not so evident is the similarity between this reliance on punishment and the use of positive reinforcements to increase desired behaviors. However, seldom do inmates receive positive reinforcement for engaging in prosocial behaviors or, for inmates receiving drug treatment, behaviors that are consistent with or support their recovery. This study provides an overview of the development and implementation of a positive behavioral reinforcement intervention in male and female prison-based drug treatment programs. The active involvement of institutional staff, treatment staff, and inmates enrolled in the treatment programs in the development of the intervention along with the successful branding of the intervention were effective at promoting support and participation. However, these factors may also have ultimately impacted the ability of the randomized design to reliably demonstrate the effectiveness of the intervention.
Related Concept Videos
Operant Conditioning Intervention
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
Behavior Modification
A real-world application of operant conditioning principles is applied...
Punishment
Punishment can be positive or negative. Positive punishment involves adding an undesirable stimulus, such as scolding, to decrease a behavior. Negative punishment involves removing a desirable stimulus, such as taking away a favorite toy, to decrease behavior.
Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement occurs when a behavior is followed by the presentation of a rewarding stimulus, increasing the frequency of that behavior. For example:
The Stanford Prison Experiment
Community Based Intervention
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
