PSY2606 ABA Lecture 12 Token Economy

Token Economy Overview

  • Definition: Systematic use of conditioned reinforcers (tokens) to increase desirable behaviors in educational or treatment settings and may involve response cost to decrease undesirable behaviors.

  • Purpose: Goals include promoting positive behavior and managing behavioral issues.

Examples of Token Economies

  • Poker Chips: Given for correct answers in a special education classroom.

  • Canteen Money: Awarded to psychiatric patients for appropriate social behavior.

  • Marbles: Stacked in tubes for self-help skills in individuals with mental retardation in group homes.

  • Points: Recorded in a guard's laptop for prison inmates completing chores.

  • Punch Cards: Used in programs for delinquents, with holes punched for prosocial behaviors.

How a Token Economy Works

  1. Child has no tokens and no access to desired items or activities.

  2. Child exhibits desired behaviors.

  3. Child receives tokens for engaging in these behaviors.

  4. Child exchanges tokens for access to desired items or activities.

Seven Elements of a Token Economy

  1. Target Behaviors: Identify specific behaviors to increase (Miltenberger, 2008).

  2. Type of Tokens: Choose conditioned reinforcers (e.g., poker chips, stickers).

  3. Backup Reinforcers: Define items or rewards exchanged for tokens (e.g., sweets).

  4. Reinforcement Schedule: Set schedule for token delivery based on behaviors.

  5. Exchange Criterion: Determine number of tokens needed for reinforcers.

  6. Time/Place for Exchange: Establish when and where tokens can be exchanged.

  7. Response Cost: Optionally include a penalty where tokens are removed for undesirable behaviors.*

Steps to Implement a Token Economy

  1. Identify and define target behaviors to increase and undesirable behaviors to decrease.

  2. Identify items to serve as tokens - they should be easy to deliver and accumulate.

  3. Identify and procure backup reinforcers - ensure they are known and varied.

  4. Decide on a schedule of reinforcement for token delivery.

  5. Determine the exchange rate for tokens to reinforcers.

  6. Identify time and place for exchanges, considering a token store.

  7. Decide if response cost will be included, and define penalties.

  8. Train staff for successful program implementation.

  9. Monitor and evaluate client progress and staff adherence.

Token Exchange Rate Example

  • 1 Point Transformations:

    • 5 Points: Candy

    • 8 Points: Coloring break

    • 10 Points: iPad break or computer break.

Considerations for Token Economies

  • Prevent theft or counterfeiting of tokens.

  • Procedures for immediate token provision following desirable behavior.

  • Pair token delivery with descriptive praise.

  • Gradually fade the use of tokens before program completion.

  • Ensure participants do not lose basic rights or access to food.

Advantages of Token Economies

  • Immediate reinforcement of target behaviors after occurrence.

  • Consistent reinforcement due to structured nature.

  • Tokens are generalized conditioned reinforcers linked to various rewards.

  • Simple token distribution and accumulation for participants.

  • Easier quantification of reinforcement magnitude for different behaviors.

  • Response cost can be administered effectively due to token accumulation.

  • Encourages skills in future planning through savings.

Disadvantages of Token Economies

  • Time and effort required for organizing and executing the program.

  • Financial costs from acquisition of backup reinforcers.

  • Need for staff training and effective management, especially for larger programs.