Behaviour Modification- Token Economy

Question 1

Token economy

Answer 1

Used to obtain desirable behaviour in closed institutions.
Secondary reinforcers- tokens
Primary reinforcers- something the individual desires.

Question 2

MILTENBERG

Answer 2

1. Target behaviour that is desirable is shown more.
2. Tokens used like a plastic tokens.
3. Reinforcers identified.
4. Reinforcer schedule- continuous but partial reinforcement.
5. Exchange criterion- eg food.
6. Time and place for exchange.
7. Response cost: penalties lost if undesirable behaviour shown.

Question 3

HOBBS AND HOLT

Answer 3

Token economy done with 125 delinquents in a boys school in Alabama.
In order to reduce inappropriate behaviour before and after dinner service.
4 groups of boys observed over 3 month, no increase in control group.

Question 4

Findings of Hobbs and holt

Answer 4

After Token Economy: 91, 81 and 94 %
Control group had no increase.

Question 5

AO3 of token economy

Answer 5

-Little success over time, MOYERS doesn’t reduce offending rates.
- individual differences some will not care for tokens.
- serious ethical issues.
- method not appropriate for prisons but schools.