N.F. Psychological therapy in treatment of Sz Flashcards
CBT, family therapy and Token economies in the management of SZ
What are the psychological therapies that treat/ manage Sz and which do they do
- CBT - treat
- Family therapy - treat
- Token economies - management
define token economies
Token economies are a form of behavioural modification, where desirable behaviours are encouraged by the use of selective reinforcement.
Explain selective reinforcement in token economies
People are given rewards - tokens - when they engage in socially desirable behaviours. The tokens are secondary reinforcers and can then be exchanged for primary reinforcers - food/ privileges
Explain the theoretical understanding of token economies
Token economies are an example of behaviour modification. They are a behavioural therapy based on operant conditioning.
In order for tokens to become secondary reinforcers they are paired with primary reinforcers, so at the start of a token economy programme tokens and primary reinforcers are administered together.
Why are tokens secondary reinforcers
Tokens in token economies are secondary reinforcers because they only have value once the person recieving them has learned that they can be used to obtain meaningful rewards, such as sweets or a walk outside. These meaningful rewards are primary reinforcers.
define generalised reinforcers
Generalised reinforcers are secondary reinforcers that are more powerful as they can be exchanged for a range of different primary reinforcers.
Provide research for the early use of token economies
Ayllon and Azrin 1968
what did Ayllon and Azrin 1968 do and find
Ayllon and Azrin 1968:
trialled token economy in a ward of women diagnosed with schizophrenia. Every time the participant carried out a task such as making their bed they were given a token which could then be swapped.
They found that the number of tasks carried out increase significantly.
when are token economies used
Matson et al 2016 identified 3 catagoris of institutional behaviour commonly tackled by token economies:
- personal care
- condition-related behaviours (i.e. avolition)
- social behaviours
are token economies a treatment for SZ and why
Token economies are not a treatment as they do not cure schizophrenia but they have 2 main benefits through managing SZ:
- improves the individual’s quality of life within the hospital setting
- normalises behaviour and makes it easier to re-enter society
How do token economies improve the individual’s quality of life
Within the hospital setting it could give the reward of being able to wear make-up for someone who takes pride in their looks
How do token economies normalise behaviour and why is this beneficial
One of the benefits of token economies is that it helps normalise behaviour which makes it easier for people who have spent time in hospital adapt back into their life in the community e.g. getting dressed in the morning or making their bed.
Evaluate the appropriateness of token economies for the management of SZ
- W - doesnt address the symptoms of sz so doesnt treatment it is fundementally management
- W - it only manages negative symptoms
- W - acts to control patients, for the benefit of the staff rather than their own - S- however for negative symptoms such as avolition this can be for the benefit of the patient.
Evaluate the effectiveness of token economies in the management of sz
- S - supporting evidence from Glowacki 2016 who conducted a meta-analysis on 7 high quality studies and found all studies found a reduction in negative symptoms and a decline in the frequency of unwanted behaviour.
- W - there are other more pleasant and ethical alternatives such as art therapy which is high-gain low risk approach to managing SZ (Chiang et al 2019).
