Behaviour modification involves psychological methods for changing observable behavioural patterns, based on classical and operant conditioning.
             Classical conditioning is where something that at first does not stimulate behaviour in someone goes on to do so by the introduction of a stimulus that can elicit such a reaction. They are unlearned but may be conditioned or changed through learning. For example, Ian Pavlov conditioned dogs to associate food with the sound of a bell. An example of how behaviour modification might help treat criminals (give an example from Paul Britton Picking up the Pieces and an aggressive client learning to associate Britain's face with non-threatening and caring experience).
             An example of how classical conditioning can help in the treatment of criminals can be found in the work of the Building a Better Future Scheme. The scheme, which lasts for 12 weeks, aims to help ex-offenders access mainstream society by teaching them how to find employment and ultimately to find housing. If at the end of the 12 weeks the ex-offender has met all of the aims of the scheme he or she will be approved tenancy for a flat. However, if whilst on the scheme they reoffend they are dismissed and refused further help from the project. The offenders associate good behaviour with the reward of accommodation, hence the stimulus being help to find accommodation. "The regime is designed for those who will work with it. It is a supported housing project and more, because they have to show commitment before they come in. They have to show that they want to change".
             In contrast, operant behaviours are responses emitted without a stimulus necessarily being present. They are acts on the environment, made freely and occurring spontaneously. These behaviours allow for operant conditioning or spontaneous behaviours whose consequences determine their frequency. In operant conditioning a therapist might teach a client to p...