Token Economy Programmes

Question 1

What are Token economy programmes?

Answer 1

• A form of behavioural modification where desirable behaviours are encouraged by the use of selective reinforcement

Question 2

What is a Token in terms if reinforcement?

Answer 2

• A secondary reinforcement

Question 3

What are Token economy programmes based on and how do they work?

Answer 3

• Operant conditioning principles
• Work by patients receiving a token immediately after producing a desired behaviour, such as getting out if bed, social interaction, getting dressed, showering instead of negative behaviour such as, bad hygiene
• These tokens can then be traded in by the patients to obtain rewards such as sweets or magazines

Question 4

What is the overall idea behind this programme?

Answer 4

• That patients will engage more often with desirable behaviours by associating them with rewards and privileges