token economy essay

Question 1

para 1 a03

Answer 1

strength- stunkard et al- sucesfully used positive reinforcment to encorage normal eating AN identifying reward and depriving of it

weakness-TEPs could be seen as a form of social control, power imbalence- lack motivation ans engagment

Question 2

A01.1

Answer 2

• token economy uses operant conditioning within an instiution so that behaviour can be monirtored

based of positive reinforcement

• individual recieves a token- secondary reinforcer once desired behaviour ( eating ) occurs which can be exchanged for something they value - primary reinforcer such as seeing friends and family, going on phone , day out etc, this increases motivation to repeat behaviour- eating

how and when they will recieve the token is discussed between patient and carer as well as what it can be exchanged for

Question 3

A01.2

Answer 3

• rewards may be given for different behaviours for diff individuals- e.g. eating a full meal, reaching a target weight, attending therapy
• targer behaviours must be achievable and realistic, and broken down into small steps to increase confidencce and engagment

must be rewarded consistently every time behaviour is performed to maintain trust and avoid lack of motivation patients often fragile and lack trust often in hospital against own will

Question 4

para 2 A03

Answer 4

strength- garfinkel et al 5 female hospitalised AN patients over 7 days positive reinforment

weakness- paul et al TEP alone not effective 11% patients need medication alongside

Question 5

A01.3

Answer 5

• if patient is sick after meal should be monitored for a few hours after meal to ensure not sick
• should gradually increase calories beginning with 1500-2000
• 6 equal feedings, if severely AN use liquid food / IV
• carers careful not to over emphisise importance of weight- only symtpom has poor body image and self esteem

Question 6

para 3 A03

Answer 6

weakness- thompson et al studied 11 anorexic patients could specify own heirachy, discharged and told to carry on, long term follow up questionaires, based on limited response concluded that OC technique useful inital weight gain not LT maintenance better in pair with bio treament for LT- although lacks val

Question 7

A01.4

Answer 7

• start with reinforcing for small things e.g. eating one peice of food and gradually increasse targer behaviours such as eating a full meal or gaining 1KG
  chaging scedules of reinforcment to help adapt to real world where reinforcment will differ greatly

socially approprate behaviours learnt and not - extninguished

controlled environment of institution allows reinforcment t be precisely manipulayed and when discharged hopeduly behaviour learnt

Question 8

para 4 A03

Answer 8

weakness- short term solution, becomes weaker once reinforcment is disconnected and behaviours move back doesnt prevent relapse

strength- sonoda et al reported 10 year old girl best treatment = token economy reached 25kg goal 9 months 1kg/ month

Question 9

para 5

Answer 9

drug treatment alt
psyc is best treamtent if learnt can be unlearnt through oc and reinforcemnt