Lesson 11 - Token economy as used in the management of Skiz

Question 1

what is a token economy

Answer 1

• skiz is due to maladaptive learning, the best treatment involves new forms of learning (operant conditioning)
• skiz Ps can change their unwanted behaviour into more desirable forms
• only effective in institutions bcs its more consistent and there’s less manipulation

Question 2

how is token economy carried out

Answer 2

• Ps are rewarded initially for not displaying any strange or unusual behaviour
• tokens must be given immediately after positive behaviour is displayed
• token economy is not a treatment but a managing strategy

Question 3

weaknesses of token economy

Answer 3

w- can be problematic bcs Ps may find it difficult in the real world when they are no longer rewarded
w- only focuses on managing a few symptoms and ignores cognitive problems
w- Ps can’t give informed consent
w- we don’t know how effective it is on its own bcs its always used alongside smt else

Question 4

Research on token economy AO1

Answer 4

ayllon and azrin
- 45 female skiz P studied
- rewarded when desirable behav. shown
- tokens exchanged for pleasant activities - films
- skiz symptoms reduces and no. of chores from 5->40 throughout the course of the study

Question 5

strength of research into token economy

Answer 5

+ no side effects compared to drug therapy
+ very few ethical issues
+supported by studies where token econ was useful in 11/13

Question 6

weaknesses of research into token economy

Answer 6

w- results can be criticised bcs they only looked at women so results cannot be generalised to men