token economies A01 Flashcards
define token economy
a form of therapy where desirable behaviours are encouraged through selective reinforcers
when are these tokens given?
when an individual engages in socially desirable behaviour
give an example of socially desirable behaviour
brushing your teeth, washing etc
what are the two types of reinforcers?
primary and secondary
what is the reinforcer?
the reward the token gives
what is the secondary reinforcer?
the token
what is the primary reinforcer?
what the token can be exchanged for
why do clinicians set target behaviours?
they believe they will improve the patients engagement in daily activities
for the token economy system to be effective, what must happen?
the reward/reinforcer needs to be delivered immediately after target behaviour is met.
what do desirable target behaviours lead to?
token awards
define generalised reinforcer>
when a token can be exchanged for a variety of rewards, not just one.
what is the clinicians idea behind the token economy?
patients will engage more often with desirable behaviours because the tokens become associated with the rewards and privileges they offer
what is important in the token economy cycle?
the ‘trade’ - exchanging tokens for rewards quickly so target behaviours are quickly met.
why must value be assigned to the token?
so that it can be used to modify behaviour
what happens to the token when it can be exchanged for a range of rewards?
it becomes more powerful
