managing schizophrenia - token economies

Question 1

token economies

Answer 1

-behavioural treatment for SZ based on operant conditioning
-tokens given as a reward in psychiatric institution to encourage self care

Question 2

reinforcers

Answer 2

secondary - tokens
primary - rewards (e.g. movies, outdoor time and sweets)

Question 3

ayllon and azrin (1968)

Answer 3

-set up a token economy with SZ patients
-went from performing 5 chores a day to 40
-helps improve the quality of life

Question 4

institutionalisation

Answer 4

-long periods of being in an hospital
-bad habits (not washing or socialising) can develop without a routine
-when you come out of a hospital you may get the symptoms back

Question 5

weakness

Answer 5

point - unethical (freedom reduced)
evidence - patients with the most severe symptoms (catatonic) are unable to access tokens as they can’t perform the behaviours
explain - effectively discriminated against for being severely ill

Question 6

strength / weakness

Answer 6

pont - better alternatives
evidence - art therapy has similar benefits and no ethical issues (also recommended)
explain - limits usefulness of token economies

Question 7

weakness

Answer 7

point - institutionalisation
evidence - if they are reliant they will be unable to go back to life outside of the hospital, may fall back into bad habits and regain symptoms
explain - this limits the effectiveness of token economies in everyday life