Reisinger (1975) Behavioural Treatment

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

To find out whether a behavioural therapy, token economy, could be used to treat an inpatient with a diagnosis of depression.

Question 2

Method

Answer 2

Case study- 20 weeks

Question 3

Participants

Answer 3

A white female, 20 yrs old who had been an inpatient for 6 yrs

Question 4

Procedure

Answer 4

Participant could gain or be fined tokens (poker chips).
Tokens could be traded in for better sleeping facilities, television time etc.

Received a token when she was observed smiling, social reinforcement was also given eg. “well done”

Fined a token if she cried.

Question 5

Measurements

Answer 5

Smiling response - a slight opening of the mouth and an upwards turning of the lips.

The crying response - tears coming from eyes for 5-30mins

observers were at least 10ft away when recording 3 x a day.

Question 6

Results

Answer 6

Baseline: smiled 0 times a week, cried 30 times a week.
Final week: smied 27 times a week, cried 2 times a week.

Follow up after 14 months: no recommendation for hospitalization or further treatment.

Question 7

Conclusions

Answer 7

demonstrates that behavioural therapies can be very effective in the treatmenty of depression