Topic 22: Token Economies

Question 1

Token Economy

Answer 1

a reinforcement system in which conditioned reinforcers called tokens are delivered to people for desirable behaviors

the tokens are later exchanged for backup reinforcers

Question 2

Token

Answer 2

a conditioned reinforcer used in a token economy

the token is something that can be given to another person and accumulated by that person

the token is a conditioned reinforcer because it is given to the person after a desirable behavior and is exchanged for established reinforcers called backup reinforcers

Question 3

Backup Reinforcers

Answer 3

reinforcers in a token economy, a client receives tokens for desirable behaviors and exchanges a specified number of tokens for any of a variety of backup reinforcers

Question 4

What is a token?

Answer 4

a conditioned reinforcer that can be given immediately after a behavior and exchanged later for known reinforcers, called backup reinforcers

Question 5

How are token economies different than other token based systems?

Answer 5

directed at changing the behaviors of groups of people, not just individual

directed at changing a number of target behaviors

apply complex systems to manage the consequences of behaviors

Question 6

How do you start a token economy?

Answer 6

decide on the target behaviors

conduct a functional assessment to determine the antecedents and consequences involved in the behaviors

recruit staff members to administer the program

train staff to: identify the target behaviors, modify the antecedents and consequences, record data, administer the tokens

collect baseline data

Question 7

How do you decide on the target behaviors in a token economy?

Answer 7

identify and define the target behaviors

depends on the problems that exist

needs of the group members

needs of the organization or institution implementing the program

this is easier to do if the group members are similar to each other

Question 8

What are some examples of tokens?

Answer 8

poker chips, stars or stamps on a chart, checkmarks in a table, entries on a data sheet, specifically printed paper money, coinlike tokens

Question 9

What are practical considerations for tokens?

Answer 9

durable: they may have to be used for an extended period of time

inexpensive

convenient to transport, store, handle

readily accessible to the practitioner, and easy to dispense

not harmful to the learners (e.g. avoid small items that may present a choking hazard to small children)

difficult to steal or counterfeit

tokens themselves should probably not be desirable objects

Question 10

How to you set up a token economy?

Answer 10

select tokens, which may be tangible or symbolic

set up facilities: large institutions may have a “store” where tokens may be exchanged for backup reinforcers

select backup reinforcers

manage consequences

Question 11

How do you select backup reinforcers?

Answer 11

identify robust reinforcers by observing people’s preferences in naturalistic settings, or on structured tests (e.g. surveys or questionnaires)

provide a variety of reinforcers to accommodate all individuals

decide whether to apply fines/response cost, and how

Question 12

What are the guidelines for administering tokens?

Answer 12

deliver tokens immediately following the target behavior

deliver natural reinforcers (like praise) along with tokens

maintain accurate records of target behaviors and reinforcers dispensed

give bonus rewards for high levels of performance, if possible

Question 13

How do you decide on the schedule of reinforcement?

Answer 13

how many tokens will a target behavior earn?

goal is to maximize performance of the target behavior

may depend on supply and demand of tasks/behaviors

also influenced by each individual’s ability

Question 14

What does the exchange rate between tokens and backup reinforcers depend on?

Answer 14

number of tokens earned for a target behavior

cost of the backup reinforcer

amount of supply and demand for a particular reinforcer

Question 15

What is the availability of backup reinforcers?

Answer 15

for clients with intellectual disabilities or children, backup reinforcers should be delivered at the same time as tokens, to strengthen the association between them

availability of backup reinforcers can be reduced over time: twice a day, then only once a week, etc.

Question 16

How do you phase out a token economy?

Answer 16

before the client leaves the program, the token economy should be phased out

thin the schedule of reinforcement

delay reinforcement

replace programmed reinforcers (tokens) with natural reinforcers

Question 17

Why should the token economy be phased out before the client leaves the program?

Answer 17

phasing out can be started when the client is consistently successful in the program

behavior should be maintained by natural contingencies

this allows the behavior to generalize to real-life situations

Question 18

How do you thin the schedule of reinforcement?

Answer 18

decrease the number of tokens earned by a behavior

decrease the number of behaviors that are eligible for tokens

increasing the number of tokens needed to exchange for a backup reinforcers

Question 19

What are the benefits of token economies?

Answer 19

is an effective way of changing problem behaviors

gains from token economy show greater response maintenance than other behavior change procedures

but token economies may also help reduce costs (e.g. enhancing safety in industry)

participants in token economies rate their satisfaction as high; token economies can help people develop real-world skills (e.g. working for pay, managing money)

Question 20

What are the problems of token economies?

Answer 20

gains may be lost after the person leaves the token economy (academic skills are likely to be retained)

high costs are often involved

criticized as demeaning