Token Economies as used in the Management of Schizophrenia Flashcards
define token economies
used to MANAGE negative symptoms and change behaviours.
A technique based on the behaviourist principles of operant conditioning
Who did a study on token economies?
Ayllon & Azrin (1968)
Describe Ayllon & Azrin’s study
- worked w/ female patients
- Given tokens for doing activities
- Token exchanged for privileges e.g. watching a movie
What were Ayllon & Azrin’s findings?
led to an increased frequency of desirable behaviour
Where are token economies used?
Psychiatric hospitals, where patients have been institutionalised
Name examples of maladaptive/institutionalised behaviour
- not getting dressed
- poor hygiene
- social withdrawal
- independence
What is the long term aim of token economies?
- improve quality of life
- Increases likelihood of living outside hospital setting
What is the process of token economies?
Individual assessment
The ‘desirable’ behaviour for the individual patient is
1. identified
2. targeted for reinforcement
Then the patient receives a token for carrying out desirable behaviour
How is delay discounting prevented?
when the desirable behaviour is reinforced immediately
Define delay discounting
A reduced effect of reinforcement because of a time delay
What time of awards can re rewarded when the tokens are exchanged?
- sweets
- magazines
- walk outside
- more pleasant accommodation
TANGIBLE
What are tokens seen as?
secondary reinforcers
Why are tokens seen as secondary reinforcers? (according to operant conditioning)
They only have value once the patient learns that they can be used to obtain rewards. A token by itself is not desirable or reinforcing.
