Token economies

• What is a token economy?

  An incentive is given to encourage positive behaviours and discourage negative behaviours
• What do tokens act as?

  Secondary reinforcers - it is not the tokens that give the reward, it is what they are exchanged for
• Who found token economies are effective in reducing negative symptoms?

  Monagle and Sultana
• What did Ayllon and Azrin find?


  When token economies were taken away, the desirable behaviour decreased significantly
• What are the strengths of token economies?

  • Help Ps with mild symptoms that need help coping with every day tasks like social interaction
  • Inexpensive
  • Less harmful than drug therapies
  • Can avoid becoming institutionalised as it makes people more independent
• What are the weaknesses of token economies?

  • May be seen as patronising, like parents rewarding their children
  • Lack of consistency
  • May not be transferred to the home, so may lead to relapse