Token economy systems - AO3

Question 1

What is a PECS paragraph for token economy systems?

strength

Answer 1

• P: Strength = evidence for effectiveness
• E: Glowacki et al. (2016): Seven high-quality studies examining effectiveness of token economies in a hospital setting; all showed a reduction in negative symptoms
• C: However, seven studies is a small evidence base, subject to publication bias
• S: This means that evidence for effectiveness is questionable

Question 2

What are two limitations of token economy systems?

Answer 2

• P: Limitation = ethical issues
• E: Considerale power to control patients: one person’s or institution’s norms may be imposed onto others
• E: Restricting the availability of rewards means those with distressing symptoms are at further discomfort
• L: This means that…benefits of token economies may not be outweighed by impact on personal freedom of patients

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• P: Limitation = alternative approaches
• E: Other treatments with the same evidence base do not raise ethical issues
• E: Chiang et al. (2019): art therapy evidence base is similar
• L: This means that other therapies may be a good alternative to token economies

Question 3

What is a PECS of token economies?

limitation

Answer 3

• P: Limitation = specific to hospital setting
• E: Target behaviours cannot be closely monitored (or tokens given) immediately outside of hospital
• C: Some may only live outisde of hospital if their behaviours are first “improved” with a token economy
• S: Token economies may in fact be worth it to give people a chance to live outside of an institution