Token economies

• Appropriateness

  • Do not address the cause of SZ
  • Only manage the negative symptoms
  • Humiliating and patronising- seen as lab rats
  • Benefits the staff more than the patients.
• Appropriateness

  Privileges become more available to those with mild symptoms of SZ and less likely for those with severe symptoms that prevent them from complying with desirable behaviours- most severely ill are then being discriminated against raising ethical issues.
• Effectiveness

  McMonagle and Sultana (2009)- found slight evidence for improved mental state, especially with negative symptoms.
• However point for McMonagle and Sultana's study

  Only 3 studies were included in the final analysis as these were the only ones that were randomised controlled trials.