Schizophrenia- Token Economies

Question 1

What are Token Economies?

Answer 1

Token economies are behaviourist approach to manage behaviour of patients with Sz.
Mainly used with patients who’ve spent a long time in hospital, developed maladaptive behaviour e.g. bad hygiene and communication with others.

Question 2

What’s the Aim of Token Economies?

Answer 2

Aim is to change a patient’s behaviour so they’re easier to manage, will have better quality of life, enabling them to live outside hospital setting.

Question 3

How do Token Economies Work?

Answer 3

Uses Skinner’s operant conditioning principles, patients receive reinforcements (rewards) in form of tokens e.g. coloured discs immediately after producing desired behaviour e.g. social interaction.
Tokens can later be exchanged for goods or privileges e.g. watching TV.

Question 4

AO3: Token Economies: Research to Support

Answer 4

P: Dickerson et al.
E: Meta-analysis reviewing 13 studies of token economies, found technique was useful in increasing adaptive behaviour of patients e.g. self-hygiene.
E: Studies showed when they used token economies the severity of symptoms was reduced.
L: Suggests token economies is an effective management technique and increases credibility of use of token economies in management of Sz.

Question 5

AO3: Token Economies Limitation: Meta-Analysis

Answer 5

P: Issue with using a meta-analysis, risk of publication bias, researchers have control over studies they wish to report.
E: Meta-analysis reviews published research, research studies that have significant results are more likely to be published than studies with non-significant results.
E: Limits support meta-analysis research by Dickerson provides for effectiveness of token economies in management of Sz.
L: Accurate view of token economies effectiveness is skewed by researcher bias.

Question 6

AO3: Token Economies Limitation: Raise Ethical Issues

Answer 6

P: Raise ethical issues.
E: Major issue, privileges become more available to patients with mild symptoms, less available to those with more severe symptoms, prevent them from complying with desirable behaviours.
E: Most severely ill patients suffer discrimination, severity of symptoms prevents them from accessing the programme.
L: Reduced use of token economies, may not be appropriate for all patients.