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.
