Chapter 22 - Token Economy

Question 1

Token Economy

Answer 1

Reinforcement system in which conditioned reinforcers called tokens are delivered to people for desirable behaviors: the tokens are later exchanged for backup reinforcers

• purpose is to strengthen desirable behaviors in clients
• Often begins as continuous reinforcement then intermediate (fixed ratio)

Question 2

Token

Answer 2

Something delivered to a person immediately after a desirable behavior, accumulated by the person and later exchanged

• becomes a conditioned reinforcer because it is paired with other reinforcers
• MUST BE PRACTICAL AND CONVENIENT FOR THE CHANGE AGENT TO CARRY AND DISPENSE IN THE TREATMENT ENVIRONMENT
  ex: point system

Question 3

What does establishing a time and place for tokens do?

Answer 3

Allows for a consistent implementation of the program

Question 4

Response cost in a token economy

Answer 4

• Can only be applied after the token economy has been in place long enough for it to have a reinforcement for desirable behaviors
• only used if there are undesirable behaviors competing with desirable behaviors

Question 5

Practical considerations for Token Economy (4)

Answer 5

1. the change agent should always deliver the tokens immediately after the desirable target behavior
2. The change agent should praise the client when delivering the tokens for desirable behaviors
3. Young children or individuals with severe intellectual disabilities early in the program, back up reinforcers should be given to the client the same time the token is given so the pairing is immediate
4. Because it is not found in normal environments, token economy’s should always be faded out before the client leaves the program

Question 6

Advantages of the Token Economy

Answer 6

• Tokens can be used to reinforce the target behavior immediately after it occurs
• A token economy is highly structured; therefore, desirable target behaviors often are reinforced more consistently
• Tokens are generalized conditioned reinforcers because they are paired with a variety of other reinforcers
• as a result, tokens function as reinforcers regardless of any specific EO
• Tokens are easy to dispense
• Token reinforcement can be quantified easily
• Response cost is easier to implement in a token economy because the recipient has accumulated tokens that may be removed contingent on the occurrence of problem behavior
• The recipient can learn the skills involved in planning for the future by saving tokens for larger purchases

Question 7

Disadvantages of the Token Economy

Answer 7

• Time and effort involved in organizing and conducting the program
• cost of purchasing back up reinforcers
• Staff training and management

Question 8

Essential components of Token Economy

Answer 8

• The desirable target behaviors to be strengthened
• The tokens to be used as conditioned reinforcers
• The backup reinforcers to be exchanged for the tokens
• A reinforcement schedule for token delivery
• The rate at which tokens are exchanged for the backup reinforcers
• A time and place for exchanging tokens for backup reinforcers