Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Token Economies Chapter 25.

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Token Economies

Chapter 25


Some Definitions• Conditioned Reinforcers

– Not originally reinforcing, but they become a reinforcer after being paired with other reinforcers

• Tokens– Conditioned reinforcers that endure, and can be accumulated and exchanged for backup reinforcers

• Token Economy– Behavior modification program that uses tokens with a group of individuals


Advantages of Tokens

• Can be given immediately• Paired with many different backup reinforcers

• Can be administered to large diverse groups


Setting Up a Token Economy

• Decide on target behavior– Define behaviors so that all involved can identify instances of appropriate and inappropriate behavior

• Take baselines– Baseline data important to know what is needed

– Data can help with selecting backup reinforcers

• Select backup reinforcers– Identify backup consequences through direct and indirect assessment

– Use a wide variety of backup reinforcers– Can use response-cost procedures to punish inappropriate behavior



• Select the type of tokens to use– Can take many forms, but should be:

•Durable•Easy to handle•Difficult to steal•Difficult to counterfeit

– Can give graded value for tokens– Can associate different types of tokens with different behaviors



• Identify available help– Depending on the situation, different people may need to help• EX: Teachers, volunteers, behaviorally advanced peers, etc.

• Choose the locations– Some locations are better than others, but often do not have a choice of location

• Managing consequences– Ensure backup reinforcers are on hand– Clearly describe criteria for earning and exchanging tokens

– Award tokens as immediately as possible– Use reinforcers such as praise with tokens– Keep accurate records – Provide bonuses for high-level performance– Train those administering tokens


Specific Implementation Procedures

• Must decide on procedures for:– Keeping data

• What kinds of sheets? • Who will record the data?• When will recording take place?

– The reinforcing agent• Who will administer the reinforcement and for what behaviors?

– Number or frequency of tokens to pay• More tokens to start• Gradually decrease number of tokens• Less pleasant activities might earn more


Specific Implementation Procedures (continued)

• Managing the backup reinforcers– How frequently will backup reinforcers be made available?• Frequency high in the beginning

– How much will each reinforcer cost?• Should be related to monetary cost• High demand items should cost more• Low cost for backup reinforcers that have therapeutic value

• Possible punishment contingencies– Can use tokens to administer punishment through fines

– May need to teach clients how to accept fines in a nonaggressive, relatively nonemotional way


Specific Implementation Procedures (continued)

• Supervision of staff– Duties must be clearly spelled out– Staff must be monitored closely– Reinforcement must be offered for appropriate behavior

• Handling potential problems– Problems must be planned for in advance– Likely problems:

• Confusion• Staff shortages• Attempts by clients to get tokens they have not earned, or backup reinforcers for which they do not have enough tokens

• Clients playing with tokens in distracting ways• Failure to purchase backup reinforcers


Preparing a Manual

• Token economy manual– Written set of rules describing exactly how the economy is to run

– Includes:•Definite procedures for evaluating whether or not the rules are being followed adequately and procedures for ensuring that they are

•Methods for arbitrating disputes about rules

– Should be detailed– Should be given to all staff members


Programming Generalityto the Natural Environment

• Token economy should be designed so that social reinforcement gradually replaces tokens

• Weaning from tokens:– Eliminate tokens gradually

• Gradually make the schedule of token delivery more and more intermittent

– Decrease token value gradually• Gradually decrease the amount of backup reinforcement that a token can purchase

• Or, gradually increase the delay between getting tokens and purchase of backup reinforcements

– Gradually transfer control to the clients


Ethical Considerations

• Must take precautions to avoid abuse

• Making the system completely open to public scrutiny may ensure that no abuse happens

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Token Economies Chapter 25.

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