topic 11 Flashcards
(16 cards)
token
an object or symbol that is exchanged for goods or services . an object that typically can be accumulated. has no phylogenic value. can be exchanged for phylogenetically significant stimuli called backup reinforcers.
can be brought under discriminative (stimulus) control. can be differentially reinforced. reinforcing value can be extinguished. can be sued to bridge long delays. accumulation can act as a discriminative stimulus.
generalized reinforcers
conditioned reinforcer that is contingent on multiple forms of unconditioned reinforcement. makes reinforcer less dependent on effects of deprivation and satiation.
identify target behaviours for token economy
identify desirable behaviours to increase , may also identify undesirable behaviours to decrease
identifying items to use as tokens
tokens must be easy to deliver and accumulate. tokens must not be available outside token economy.
identifying procure terminal (“back up”) reinforcers for token economy
terminal/back up reinforcers must be known reinforcers for the participants. It is best to have a variety. Might be physical, social, or other reinforcers.
deciding on a schedule of reinforcement for the delivery of tokens
i.e., what is the token production schedule. how many tokens delivered for each target Behaviour
deciding on token exchange rate
i.e., what is the token exchange schedule. How many tokens are required to obtain a particular reinforcer?
determining the time and place for exchanging tokens
i.e., what is the exchange production schedule? what determines when tokens can be exchanged for terminal reinforcement. consider sue of “token store”
token economy design
- identify and define the target behaviours
- identify the items to use as tokens
- identify and procure terminal (backup) reinforcers
- decide on a schedule of reinforcement for the delivery of tokens
- decide on the token exchange rate
- determine the time and place for exchanging tokens
response cost in token economy
- define undesirable behaviours that compete with desirable behaviours
- decide how many tokens are lost for each behaviour
response cost considerations in token economy
-do not try to punish the non-occurrence of a behaviour by removing tokens. -> the non occurrence of a behaviour should be treated as a behaviour and therefore is not a behaviour that can be punished
-punish undesirable behaviours that compete with the desirable behaviours
-to be effective , the tokens need to actually be conditional reinforcers. -> has this been demonstrated? do they have a reinforcing function?
considerations in token economy
- prevent token theft or counterfeiting
-present tokens immediately after desirable behaviour
-remove tokens immediately after undesirable behaviour
-pair token delivery with descriptive praise (this will incorporate natural forms of reinforcement.)
-over the long term, discontinue the token economy by gradually fading it so desired behaviours are reliant on natural reinforcers
-training and monitoring are especially important for staff involved in enforcement.
staff training and management for token economy
everyone must consistently implement the token economy and be able to:
-discriminate each instance of all target behaviours
-immediately deliver token(s) after target behaviour according to the reinforcement schedule
-discern each instance of identified problem behaviours
- implement response cost immediately
-preserve integrity of tokens
-know the exchange rate and times and be able to follow exchange rules
token reinforcement vs token economy
Token reinforcement is a method of behavior modification where a token (like a sticker or point) is given as a reward for a desired behavior, and these tokens can be exchanged for backup reinforcers. A token economy, on the other hand, is the entire system of using tokens as a medium of exchange within a structured environment, based on the principles of operant conditioning
pros of token economy
-immediate reinforcement for target behaviour
- highly structured
- generalized conditioned reinforcers because paired with other reinforcers
- tokens act as reinforcers regardless of any other existing establishing operation
-easy to dispense and accumulate tokens
-easily quantifiable
- easier to implement response cost (removal of tokens)
-recipient can learn skills involved in future planning
cons of token economy
-include time and effort to organize and conduct
-backup reinforcers can be costly
- staff training and management are also issues, especially when the token economy has complex components on a large scale
