Token economy to manage sz

What is the aim of token economy?

Changing a patients maladaptive behaviour due to institutionalisation to get a better quality of life and enable them to live life outside the hospital

Which type of conditioning does token economy use?

Operant conditioning because it rewards positive behaviour in order for it to be repeated

How does it work?

Patients receive tokens immediately after doing a desired behaviour which can later be exchanged for privileges when they get enough

Which reinforcer is the token?

Secondary - this is because it’s neutral and doesn’t have value on its own

What is the primary reinforcer?

The goods/privileges

What are the strengths of token economy? (1)

🙂 research to support - 13 studies found it a useful study to promote adaptive behaviour - especially paired with CBT

What are the weaknesses of token economy? (3)

☹ ethical issues - discrimination against more severe sz patients

☹ does not get to root cause and does not treat sz

☹ more effective alternative is art therapy