2 designed to provide secondary reinforcers (tokens) for appropriate behavior. can also be removed...
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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.
Are behavior change systems Three major components
1. Specified list of behaviors to reinforce2. Tokens or points for emitting those
behaviors3. 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)
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Tokens can be anything Stars Coins Cigarettes
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Can use token economies for early grades to increase student performance Stars
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Business Bonus Charts Can increase work performance.
Medical Weight reduction, food control for
diabetes, Flossing.
Identify target behaviorsEvaluate the behavior to be changedSelect tokensSelect menu of back-up reinforcers Identify target behaviors/rulesEstablish ratio exchangeSpecify when/how tokens will be
dispensed and exchangedField test
Select measurable/observable behaviors
Specify criteria for task completionStart with a small number of
behaviorsEnsure learners possess
prerequisite skillsIt is okay to individualize…rules
don’t have to be the same for everybody
Need to establish a baselineNeed ongoing monitoring during the
interventionNeed to see if your intervention was
successful
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
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
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
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
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”
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
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
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