Token Economies

• Define behaviour modification

  General aim is to replace undesirable behaviours with more desirable ones through the selective use of positive and/or negative reinforcement
• What is a token economy

  A form of treatment where desirable behaviours are encouraged by the use of selective reinforcement

  rewards are given as secondary reinforcers when individuals engage in correct/ socially desirable behaviours, which can be exchanged for primary reinforcers (rewards)
• How do token economies in prisons work

  1. If a prisoner carries out any desirable behaviour, they will be rewarded accordingly using a diferent number of tokens
  2. Tokens can be exchanged for privileges/primary reinforcers e.g. a phone call with a loved one
• What will non-compliance or disobedience result in

  Tokens and associated privileges being withheld or removed as punishment
• Steps in creating a token economy

  1. Operationalise target behaviours e.g. Improved interactions with inmates - not touching them, speaking politely
  2. Scoring system: Behaviours are hierarchal, some are worth more than others
  3. Training Staff: full training in order to implement the token economy successfully, aim is to standardise procedures
• Research supporting token economies in prisons

  Hobbs & Holt (1976)

  Observed token economies in an Alabama Boys School, training adolescent delinquents (ages 12-15)
• What was the aim of token economies in the Alabama school

  To reduce inappropriate social behaviour
• What were the findings of Hobbs & Holts research

  Baseline mean percentage for social behaviours before the boys were given tokens were 66%, 47% and 73% for each other the 3 cottages 

  These increased post-tokens to 91%, 81%, 94%, an average increase of 27%

  Control group showed no increase
• Strength of token economies- research support

  Hobbs & Holt introduced a token economy programme with groups of young offenders across 3 behavioural units (4th as a control) = observed significant difference in positive behaviour compared to the non-token group
• Counterpoint to research support - success of token economies depends on a consistent approach from prison staff

  Bassett & Blanchard (1977) found any benefits were lost if staff applied techniques inconsistently. This was due to factors such as lack of appropriate staff training or high staff turnover

  = suggests the token economy schemes must ensure full and consistent staff participation in order to work
• Limitation of token economies - ethical issues

  Manipulative and Dehumanising

  Participation is obligatory

  Human rights campaigners argue that withdrawal of ’privileges’ such as contact with loved ones is unethical
• Strength of token economies- easy to implement / economical

  no need for specialist professionals, unlike other forms of treatment like anger management

  cost effective & easy to follow once workable methods and reinforcement have been established
• Limitation of token economies- little rehabilitative value

  may not have a long term effect on behaviour

  Blackburn (1993)

  any positive changes in behaviour that occur in prison may be quickly lost when they are released

  Offenders can easily play along to access rewards but will go back to past behaviours when released