Management-token economy

Question 1

Token economies for schizophrenia

Answer 1

Reward system to manage behaviour. Helps those who have developed maladaptive behaviour
Ayllon and Azrin-1st trial-given a token for making their bed or clearing up
Tokens could be swapped for privileges
Used in the UK in the 60s and 70s when hospitalisation was the norm -treatments are more community-based now however some places still used token economies

Question 2

Reasons for token economies

Answer 2

Institutionalisation occurs during prolonged hospitalisation-people develop bad habits
Modifying these behaviours improves their quality of life as they earn rewards and makes it easy for people to adapt back into society

Question 3

What is involved

Answer 3

Desirable behaviours on an individual basis- given token after carrying out behaviour
Have to know then in order to identify most appropriate targets
Tokens have no value but can be traded for awards

Question 4

Theoretical understanding of token economies

Answer 4

Behaviour modification-operant conditioning-tokens are secondary reinforces that can be exchanged for a meaningful reward-rewards are primary reinforces

Question 5

Strength evidence of effectiveness

Answer 5

Glowscki-7 high-quality studies that show the reduction in negative symptoms and decline in the frequency of unwanted behaviours

Question 6

Limitation-counterpoint

Answer 6

7 studies is not significant amount
All of the unsuccessful studies are ignored meaning there is a biased towards positive findings .
Question over evidence for effectiveness of token economies

Question 7

Limitation-ethical issues

Answer 7

Gives professionals power to control behaviour. People have their privileges removed for example people like to wake up late.
Some are unable to take care of themselves all their room so they lose out on rewards
May impact personal freedom

Question 8

Limitation-alternative approaches

Answer 8

There are more pleasant and ethical methods
Chiang-art therapies are good alternatives. High gain low risk.
It’s a pleasant experience with no ethical abuses

Question 9

Evaluation-benefits

Answer 9

Difficult to maintain once they have left hospital setting
Target behaviours can’t be monitored and tokens can’t be given immediately