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Flashcards in Token Economy Describe Deck (23)
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1
Q

What are token economy programmes a form of?

A

Behaviour modification

2
Q

What is token economy based on?

A

It is based on the principles of operant conditioning; specifically reinforcement.

3
Q

Where is token economy generally used?

A

In prisons

4
Q

What does token economy encourage?

A

pro-social behaviour

5
Q

What does token economy involve?

A

awarding tokens to offenders if a desired behaviour is performed

6
Q

What can offenders do with tokens?

A

The tokens may then be exchanged for various rewards.

7
Q

What is the aim of awarding tokens?

A

To cause that desired behaviour to be repeated.

8
Q

When do offended receive tokens?

A

When they carry out a pro-social, desired behaviour.

9
Q

What are the tokens an example of?

A

The tokens are secondary reinforcers and are collected and later exchanged for a meaningful object or privileges such as phone cards, cigarettes or extra visiting privileges.

10
Q

How are offenders make aware of what behaviorus will be awarded with tokens?

A

Desirable and undesirable behaviour (target behaviours) are explained by the prison staff and the number of tokens awarded or lost for each target behaviour is also specified

11
Q

What does the success of token economy depend on?

A

The success of a token economy depends on the appeal of the primary reinforcers. Offenders will only be motivated to earn tokens if they anticipate the future reward represented by the tokens

12
Q

What will a well designed token economy use?

A

A well-designed token economy will use primary reinforcers chosen by the offenders in treatment rather than by the prison staff.

13
Q

How is the token value of each primary reinforcer determined?

A

It is pre-determined based on monetary value, demand, or therapeutic value. For example, if the reinforcer is expensive or highly attractive, the token value should be higher

14
Q

What happens if the token value for a primary reinforcer is set too low?

A

If the token value is set too low, offenders will be less motivated to earn tokens.

15
Q

What happens if the token value for a primary reinforcer is set too high?

A

If the value is set too high, offenders may become easily discouraged.

16
Q

What happens before treatment begins?

A

Information (baseline data) is gathered about each offender’s current behaviour.

17
Q

After baseline data is collected, what is then recorded daily?

A

Changes in behaviour are then recorded on daily data sheets by the prison staff

18
Q

What is the baseline data and changes in behaviour used for?

A

Gathering of this data is used to measure an individuals progress, how effective the programme is and whether token values need to be altered.

19
Q

How are the awarded tokens decreased?

A

Initially tokens are awarded frequently and in higher amounts, but as offenders learn the desirable behaviour, opportunities to earn tokens decrease

20
Q

What is this gradual decreasing of tokens called?

A

fading

21
Q

How does fading help?

A

By gradually decreasing the availability of tokens (fading), offenders should learn to display the desirable behaviour independently, without the unnatural use of tokens

22
Q

What aids the fading process?

A

Reinforcers that offenders would normally encounter in society, such as verbal praise.

23
Q

What must happen in order for a token economy programme to succeed?

A

Reinforcers that offenders would normally encounter in society, such as verbal praise, should accompany the awarding of tokens to aid in the fading process.