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

Eve Mullins Orcid Logo, Steve Kirkwood Orcid Logo, Peter Raynor Orcid Logo

Probation Journal

Swansea University Author: Peter Raynor Orcid Logo

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DOI (Published version): 10.1177/02645505241241587

Abstract

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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Published in: Probation Journal
ISSN: 0264-5505 1741-3079
Published: SAGE Publications 2024
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65791
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Abstract: 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.
Keywords: probation, corrections, effective practice, practice, pro-social modelling, praise, conversation analysis, positive reinforcement, desistance
College: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Funders: This work was supported by the Jersey Probation and After-Care Service.

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