Behaviourist treatments token economies

• Token economy

  • In a token economy, schizophrenic patients receive tokens (which can be exchanged for rewards) in return for desirable behaviour

  
  

  • Token economies are primarily used for schizophrenic patients who are in institutions for long time periods and are mainly used to treat negative symptoms

  
  

  • Token economies provide an incentive for the patient to undertake these tasks, positively reinforcing this behaviour
• AO3-supporting evidence

  a review by McMonagle and Sultana (2000) found token economies reduced the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. However, the researchers question the reliability of these studies and likelihood of relapse
• AO3-ethical concerns

  - Firstly, some argue that token economies are dehumanising. Secondly, some argue that token economies are discriminatory: severely ill patients will have greater difficulty in complying with behavioural demands and thus get fewer privileges than patients who are less severely ill
• AO3-relapse

  - if improvements in behaviour are dependent on receiving tokens, the schizophrenic patient may relapse once token economy therapy is withdrawn