Week 10 - Token Economies

Question 1

What is a token in a token economy?

Answer 1

An object or symbol that is exchanged for goods or services.
• Object that can be accumulated
• Has no phylogenetic value
• Exchanged for phylogenetically significant stimuli.
• Typically manipulable

Ex) coins or poker chips, earning “stars” in a classroom

Question 2

What are the 3 schedules of token reinforcement?

Answer 2

1) token production schedule (schedule dictates HOW tokens are EARNED)

2) exchange production schedule (schedule dictates when exchange opportunities are available)

3) token exchange schedule (Schedule that dictates how primary/terminal REINFORCEMENT are delivered)

Question 3

True or false. Tokens can be bought under discrimituve (stimulus) control

Answer 3

True

Ex) casino chips only work in a casino

Question 4

True or false. Tokens reinforcing value cant be distinguished

Answer 4

False

They can be extinguished

Question 5

True or false. Pairing tokens and food can establish CS functions

Answer 5

True

Because the REMOVAL of accumulated tokens can have a negative punishment on behaviour

Question 6

What is a generalized reinforcer?

Give a popular example

Answer 6

Conditional reinforces that are CONTINGENT on multiple forms of unconditional reinforcement

However, laboratory research is lacking

Ex) money!!!!!!

Question 7

What are the essential features of a token economy?

Answer 7

1) identify/define target behaviours (increase or decrease)

2) identify the items to use as tokens (easy to deliver/accumulate)

3) identify and procure terminal “back up” reinforcers (best to have variety)

4) decide on a schedule of reinforcement for delivery of tokens (TOKEN PRODUCTION SCHEDULE)

5) decide on token exchange rate (TOKEN EXCHANGE SCHEDULE)

6) determine time and place for exchanging tokens (EXCHANGE PRODUCTION SCHEDULE)

Question 8

Token economies offer ________ ___________

Answer 8

High precision

Question 9

How does response cost (negative punishment) work in terms of tokens?

Answer 9

1) define undesirable behaviours that COMPETE with desirable behaviours

2) decide how many tokens are LOST for each behaviour

Response Cost tips:
• Do not try to PUNISH the non-occurrence of a behaviour by removing tokens
• Punish undesirable behaviours that compete with desirable behaviours
• To be effective, the tokens need to actually be conditional reinforcers

Question 10

_________ tokens __________ after desirable behaviour

__________ tokens ___________ after undesirable behaviour

Answer 10

Present; Immediately

Remove; Immediately

Question 11

What should you do over the long-term?

Answer 11

Foster generalization

Ensure target behaviours have NATURAL reinforcers

Gradually INCREASE the # of response needed to require a token

Make use of VARIABLE schedules

Gradually DECREASE the amount of time the token economy is in effect

Incorporate items from the REAL WORLD (back up reinforcers)

Gradually FADE AWAY physical evidence from the tokens

Etc….