Token Economies Token Economies Designed to provide secondary

Token Economies

Token Economies Designed to provide secondary reinforcers (tokens) for appropriate behavior. Can also be removed for inappropriate behavior. Is often used in group homes, educational settings, and institutional settings. 2

Token Economies Are behavior change systems Three major components 1. Specified list of behaviors to reinforce 2. Tokens or points for emitting those behaviors 3. A menu of back-up reinforcers for which the learner can exchange tokens/points (Effectiveness of tokens as reinforcers depends upon the power of the back-up reinforcers)

Tokens can be anything Stars Coins Cigarettes 4

Educational Settings Can use token economies for early grades to increase student performance Stars 5

Other Settings Business Bonus Charts Can increase work performance. Medical Weight reduction, food control for diabetes, Flossing. 6

Designing a Token Economy Identify target behaviors Evaluate the behavior to be changed Select tokens Select menu of back-up reinforcers Identify target behaviors/rules Establish ratio exchange Specify when/how tokens will be dispensed and exchanged Field test

Identify Target Behaviors and Rules Select measurable/observable behaviors Specify criteria for task completion Start with a small number of behaviors Ensure learners possess prerequisite skills It is okay to individualize…rules don’t have to be the same for everybody

Monitoring the Target Behavior Need to establish a baseline Need ongoing monitoring during the intervention Need to see if your intervention was successful

Selecting Tokens Washers, checkers, coupons, poker chips, tally marks, holes punched in cards… Considerations Must be safe Need to control counterfeiting and bootlegging Must be durable Accessible Cheap Token should not be a desirable object

Back-up Reinforcers Identify what the token can be exchanged for Select a menu Use naturally-occurring activities when possible Privileges Tangibles and edibles can be used as well Follow ethical and legal rules

Specifics Establish a Ratio of Exchange Initial ratio should be small After that, adjust ratio for maintenance Procedure for Dispensation May need storage containers Procedure for Exchange Usually a “store” of some sort Initially, have store open frequently Over time, this can be more intermittent

Field Test the System Do before you implement the program Tally tokens you would have given without actually giving them Analyze data to determine if the system seems appropriate

Tips Avoiding “Battles” Be matter of fact when learners don’t earn tokens; don’t nag Stay neutral; avoid confrontation about tokens Response cost included? Most interventions include response cost Learners need to be aware of behaviors resulting in response cost/procedures Make the cost fit the severity of behavior ▪ Avoid having learners go “in the hole”

Implementation Initial training Describe the procedure to learners Model the procedure for token delivery Model the procedure for token exchange Ongoing training Booster sessions may be needed occasionally Management issues Teach students how/where to store tokens (secure location) Discourage hoarding and encourage savings in some students Chronic rule breakers deserve special consideration

Withdrawing the Token Economy Plan for maintenance and generalization Pair tokens with social approval Gradually increase number of responses required to earn tokens Gradually decrease length of time it is in place Gradually increase number of “natural” reinforcers and fade out use of contrived reinforcers Systematically increase price of more desirable items Fade physical evidence of token over time

Final Considerations / Comments Can be intrusive and difficult to implement Can be cumbersome Can be so rewarding to interventionist that he/she doesn’t want to remove it Ensure it doesn’t run counter to agency or Federal mandates