PSYB45H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Ethology, Token Economy, Intellectual Disability
Document Summary
What might explain the historical decline in the popularity. A behavioural program in which individuals can earn tokens for a variety of desirable behaviours and can exchange the earned tokens for backup. Tokens can be given immediately following desirable behaviour. Tokens can be paired with multiple different backup reinforcers (generalized conditioned reinforcers) Useful for diverse groups, with different reinforcer preferences. Used in many different types of settings. Select the type of tokens to use. Some desirable characteristics: durable; easy to handle and manage; difficult to steal and counterfeit. Ensure tokens and backup reinforcers are on hand. Clearly describe the criteria for earning and exchanging tokens. Use reinforcers such as praise with tokens. Preparation of a detailed manual for the token economy. Helps foresee problems, support everyone in the token economy (participants and staff) Ultimately want naturally occurring reinforcers (i. e. social reinforcement) to replace the tokens. Gradually transfer control of reinforcement to the clients.
