Developing a token economy
There are a number of steps to creating a successful token economy.
(1) Define and make explicit the behavior that is expected. While behavioral theory states that learners do not need to be aware of the behavior that is being reinforced (rats do not understand their quick time through a maze is reinforced- but they still respond), students can choose to seek reinforcers if they know what behavior will accomplish their task.
(2) Select both primary and secondary reinforcers. No reinforcer will work with all individuals in all settings. By carefully choosing primary reinforcers you can ensure that the basic desires of learners are being met. By choosing appropriate secondary reinforcers, you create an opportunity for learner motivation even when the primary drives are satiated.
(3) Develop a monitoring system. This system should start by collecting baseline behavioral data. That is, the first step is to identify how often the target behavior is occurring without additional reinforcement. Once a baseline is established, appropriate targets for increasing the behavior can be developed, and then the monitoring system allows tracking to ensure goals are achieved. Additionally, If behavioral theory is to be fully implemented, behavior must be carefully monitored to ensure that the target behavior is being reinforced on the desired schedule.
(4) Plan a method to fade out contingencies. It is unrealistic in most settings to maintain a token economy indefinitely, or to maintain the individual in such a closed environment. Ultimately, the goal is to help the individual maintain behavior outside of the controlled environment of the token economy. To accomplish this, the contingencies must be slowly decreased over a period of time, so that the behavior becomes highly resistant to extinction.
An advantage to token economy systems is that they allow the immediate delivery of reinforcement that is tailored to the individual needs of the learner. Additionally, tokens are less susceptible to satiation than are primary reinforcers and so maintain there power in a broader range of settings and across time. Finally, token economies are relatively easy to implement and maintain.
A major disadvantage of token economies is related to transfer of learning and maintenance of behavior. Many individuals do very well in the controlled structure of a closed environment where such an approach is likely to be used. However, once the structure is loosened, many individuals fail to maintain their behavior. Further, many learners have difficulty re-enacting the target behavior consistently in settings other than where the reinforcement occurred. Some practitioners and authors have also raised questions about the ethical issues involved in attempting to control a person's behavior through the use of behavioral means which may limit some fundamental freedoms. In a court case (Wyatt vs. Stickney, 1972) it was determined that it is illegal to withhold recreational activities from hospitalized persons as a part of a behavior management program.
