Token Economy

Token Economy

• a behaviour modification therapy in order to prevent recidivism
• The aim is to replace maladaptive behaviour with appropraite behaviour
• Token economy uses operant conditioning to prevent criminals re-offending
• When the offender does a desirable behaviour, they will get tokens as a reward (positive reinforcement)
• these tokens can then be exchanged for something the offender wants such as cigarettes, extra visits, etc.
• The tokens are therefore secondary reinforcers- they can use them to buy primary reinforcers e.g. tokens for food

Prisons also use:

•  Negative Reinforcement- they will remove privileges from a prisoner if they do an undesirable behaviour. The privilege is immediately given back when the right behaviour is displayed.
• Punishment- a prisoner is put in isolation

Evaluation:

+ Milby (1975)- found TEPS successful in psychiatic hospitals in controlling behaviour. Programme also seemed to work outside of the hospital too.

+ Ayllon and Milan (1979) found that TEPS worked for clear behaviour such as the control over interpersonal aggression

+ anyone can administer TEP and tokens and rewards are reasonably cheap so there are more benefits than costs

+ meta analysis has shown that TEPS are successful…