Token economy systems - AO1

Question 1

What is a token economy system?

Answer 1

A form of modifying behaviour wherer desirable behaviours are encouraged by the use of selective reinforcemnt
People are given rewards (tokens) when they engage in socially desirable

Question 2

What are primary and secondary reinforers?

Answer 2

Primary = extra priveleges
Seconday = tokens (exchanged for primary)

Question 3

How does token economy systems work?

Answer 3

Works under the principle of operant conditioning
Tokens such as plastic coins are immediately given as secondary reinforcers (they have no inherent value)
They are later exchanged for primary reinforcers (meaningful rewards) such as watching a film

Question 4

What does token economy systems help with that are caused by institutionalisation?

Answer 4

Institutionalisation develops under prolonged hospatilised people develop bad habits like poor habits and lack of socialisation
TES’s can be used to manage this (rewards for showering)

Question 5

What did Mateson et al (2016) find?

Answer 5

Modifying these behaviours does not “cure” SZ but does improve quality of life of people in hospitals, normalising behaviour to allow for better transition back into communities

Question 6

Why is immediate reinforcement important?

Answer 6

Delayed rewards are less effective