2.4 Behaviour Modification

Token economies are based on the principles of

operant conditioning

token economies involve

artificial systems systems of reward where symbolic tokens such as stickers are used as secondary reinforcers

these can be more effective because

reinforcement continues in the absence of the primary reinforcer

systematic desensitization is based on

principles on classical conditioning it is used to treat phobias

first a stimulus hierarchy is created

from least to most threatening

then the patient undergoes

graded exposure in which the patient is gradually exposed to increasingly realistic version of the stimulus while they also focus on the relaxation techniques