Token Economies

Question 1

What is a token

Answer 1

Conditioned reinforcer that can be given immediately after a beh and exchanged later for known reinforcers called backup reinforcers

Question 2

Token ECONOMIES are… (compared to token-based systems)

Answer 2

• directed at changing beh of groups of ppl
• directed at changing a number of target behs
• apply complex systems to manage consequences of beh

Question 3

How to start a token economy

Answer 3

• decide on the target beh
• conduct functional assessment to determine antecedents/consequences
• recruit staff members
• train staff to identify target beh, modify antecedent/cons
• collect baseline data

Question 4

How to set up a token economy

Answer 4

• select tokens (poker chips, stamps, checkmarks)
• set up facilities (may have “store” where tokens are exchanged)
• select backup reinforcers (ppls natural preferences, give questionnaires; decide whether to apply fines/costs)
• manage consequences (aministering tokens, schedules of reinforcement, exchange rate)

Question 5

Guidelines for administering tokens

Answer 5

Deliver immediately after target beh
Deliver natural reinforcers with tokens
Bonus for high levels of performance

Question 6

Practical considerations for tokens

Answer 6

Durable
Inepxensive
Convenient to transport, store, handle
Not harmful
Difficult to steal/counterfeit

Question 7

Schedule of reinforcement for tokens

Answer 7

How many tokens does target beh earn?

Question 8

How to phase out a token economy

Answer 8

• phase out token (beh maintained by natural contingencies)
• thin the schedule of reinforcer (numebr of tokens earned by beh, number beh eligible for token)
• delay reinforcement
• replace token with natural reinforcers

Question 9

Populations that token economies can be applies in

Answer 9

Patients in psychiatric hospital
Adolescents with beh disorders
Children w ADHD
University students
Prison inmates
Workers

Question 10

Examples of target behaviours in token economies

Answer 10

• Appropriate social behaviours (cleaning, stealing/lying/aggression = minus points)
• Academic performance (reading, homework, grades)
• Living skills (dishes, being on time)

Question 11

Is giving a gold star in class for good behaviour a token economy?

Answer 11

No, unless it can be redeemed for backup reinforcer
If no it is social reinforcement

Question 12

Benefits of token economies

Answer 12

• Effective way of changing problem beh
• Response maintenance good
• Can reduce costs
• Develop real-world skills

Question 13

Problems of token economies

Answer 13

• gains may be lost after person leaves economy
• high costs can be involved
• criticized as demeaning