Management for Schizophrenia Flashcards
What is a token economy in schizophrenia treatment?
A behavioral therapy that uses reinforcement to encourage positive behaviors in institutionalized patients.
Who developed and trialed token economies in schizophrenia patients?
Ayllon and Azrin
What did Ayllon and Azrin do a study on?
Tested a token economy system in a ward for women with schizophrenia, showing successful outcomes.
Why did token economies decline in use?
Rise of community-based care.
Fewer psychiatric hospitals.
Ethical concerns about restricting rewards for mentally ill patients.
Why are token economies used in schizophrenia treatment?
Prolonged hospitalization can cause bad habits (e.g., poor self-care, social withdrawal).
Encourages adaptive behaviors in psychiatric settings.
What are the three categories of behavior targeted by token economies (Matson et al.)?
Personal care (e.g., hygiene, grooming).
Condition-related behaviors (e.g., medication compliance, symptom management).
Social behavior (e.g., engaging with others, participating in activities).
How does a token economy system work?
Tokens are given to individuals when they display desirable behavior, which can later be exchanged for tangible rewards.
Why is immediate reward important in token economies?
Immediate reinforcement is more effective than delayed rewards, so tokens are given right after the behavior occurs.
What psychological principle is token economy based on?
Operant conditioning – behavior is shaped using reinforcement.
What type of reinforcer are tokens in a token economy?
Secondary reinforcers (also called generalized reinforcers), meaning they are associated with primary reinforcers (rewards like food, entertainment).
How are secondary reinforcers made effective?
At the start of the program, tokens are paired with primary reinforcers to establish their value.
