Positive reinforcement in probation practice: The practice and dilemmas of praise

Positive reinforcement is a key part of probation practice, and linked to client desistance from offending. The main way practitioners positively reinforce clients’ prosocial comments or behaviours is through praising them. However, praise is tricky in interaction, as people are under pressure to ac...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Mullins, Eve (Author) ; Kirkwood, Steve (Author) ; Raynor, Peter 1947- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2024
In: Probation journal
Year: 2024, Volume: 71, Issue: 4, Pages: 322-341
Online Access: Volltext (kostenfrei)
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Keywords:
Desistance
positive reinforcement
Conversation Analysis
Praise
pro-social modelling
Practice
effective practice
Corrections
Probation
Description
Summary:Positive reinforcement is a key part of probation practice, and linked to client desistance from offending. The main way practitioners positively reinforce clients’ prosocial comments or behaviours is through praising them. However, praise is tricky in interaction, as people are under pressure to accept the positive assessment whilst also avoiding self-praise. Applying conversation analysis to 21 video recordings of probation sessions originally collected for the Jersey Supervision Skills Study, we examine how this important aspect of probation features and functions in practice, and how clients respond. Our analysis shows how practitioners and clients manage the practice and dilemmas of praise.
ISSN:1741-3079
DOI:10.1177/02645505241241587