schizophrenia - psychological treatments of SZ (token economies)

Question 1

what is meant by a token economy?

Answer 1

.a reward system used to manage behaviour of people with SZ who have developed maladaptive behaviours from being in hospital a long time

Question 2

what is a token economy based on?

Answer 2

.operant conditioning techniques in order to manage behaviour

Question 3

why is the token economy treatment not a cure?

Answer 3

.it helps quality of life
.normalises behaviour needed for patients to adapt back into every day life

Question 4

what are token economies?

Answer 4

.secondary reinforcers

Question 5

why are tokens secondary reinforcers?

Answer 5

.because they are given to reinforce ‘target’ behaviour and tokens are associated with valued rewards

Question 6

are tokens the real reward?

Answer 6

.no, they can swapped for real/tangible rewards ie: sweets

Question 7

what is a strength to using token economies to treat SZ?

Answer 7

.evidence to support -dickerson et al (2005)
.reviewed 13 studies into the use of token economies
.11 reported findings that were beneficial and directly related to the use of token economies

Question 8

what are the negatives to using token economies to treat SZ?

Answer 8

.a number of methodological problems were noted from dickerson et al (2005) study
.ethics -controversial
-privileges are only available to those with less serious symptoms, patients who have more serious symptoms are less able to comply with desirable behaviour