Token Economies Help Reinforce Positive Behaviors

A token economy is a system of positve reinforcement designed to help reward desirable behaviors by giving tokens which can be exchanged for items or privileges. The steps required to establish a token economy are as follows:
Pinpoint the behaviors to be changed
Build the token economy
Implement the program.

Pinpoint the behaviors to be changed
A token economy system can be successful in influencing academic, social, and classroom skills. It is important to define the behavior goals in specific, observable, and measurable terms. This is necessary to facilitate consistency of implementation either among staff, teachers or parents. By being specific you also eliminate confusion among children regarding the behaviors they can earn tokens for.

Build the token economy
Start by selecting the type of token you want to use. It could be actual objects such as poker chips, play money or marbles in a jar. It could also be a point system, where the child must accumulate enough points in order to earn priviledges. What is important about the token is that it must be easy to dispense, difficult to conuterfiet, an safe to use. You must also select the following to build the token economy:

Select the reinforcers:Once you decide on the token system, you must select the reinforcers. The reinforcers must motivate children to do what is necessary to earn it. Reinforcers can include special privileges, free time on the computer, or an extra activity that they would enjoy. This requires knowledge of the child and what motivates them.

Set the token values: Decide on the number of tokens or points that can be earned by demonstrating the target behaviors. An example might be that a child can earn two points or tokens by putting their belongings away. So a child might only hang their coat up which earns one point, but may put their books and the rest of their belonging in their room which earns 2 points or tokens.

Set the reinforcer cost: You must set a good match between the price of the reinforcer and the behavior required to earn it. Charging the right price is important, because if the cost is too low, children will quickly accumulate many reinforcers and lose the motivation to perform over time. If the price is too high, children will give up. Allow for a few reinforcers to be earned quickly, but also require children to save up for the more preferred items.

Establish a record keeping system: There has to be a record keeping system to keep track of tokens or points that have been earned and spent. Whatever system is used it must be visible. In a group, the visiblitiy will foster positive competion.

Set a time for review: Decide when tokens will be exchanged for backup reinforcers. An example is that here at Auberle we use a point system. Points are reviewed daily and exchanged weekly for the opportunty to participate in weekend activities. Activities occur Friday’s, Saturday’s and Sunday and if you accumulate enough points you can participate in all of the activities all weekend! A family might review points daily and then set a special activity for Saturday that is earned with the accumulated points. Always make sure that there is follow through with the exchange plan, because constency is critical when it comes to trying to change behaviors.

Implement the program
For successful implementation you must explain the program and award the tokens with praise. However, as children begin to acquire the skills, you will gradually fade the use of tokens but you will continue to praise chidren when they display good behaviors. And finally, you adjust the system when needed. If you are asking for a child to behavior that they find difficult to change, you will have to adjust the system.

If implemented correctly a token system to reinforce positive behaviors can be a win-win for the parent and the child.

Reference:

Sulzer-Azaroff, B., & Mayer, G.R. (1996). Applying behavior-analysis procedures with children and youth. New York: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston.