What Is a Token Economy
What is a Token Economy? Since the beginning of human history there has been some form of token economy in place. From the use of giving food to giving coins or currency to those who perform a task for someone. Money is the most common current form of a token economy used in everyday life. Individuals get paid in money for completing a project or simple tasks by someone else. People are taught at a very early age how to earn money or rewards. According to Rodriguez, Montesinos, & Preciado (2005), the first therapeutic use of a token economy has been credited to Avendano y Carderera in 1859. Carderera stated that a token could be used to reward the good behavior of children (Rodriguez, Montesinos, & Preciado, 2005). Today, there are some parents who give allowances for their children doing chores around the home and or for good behaviors, which is type of token economy. Children who earn an allowance use the money earned to buy what they can afford at the store.
The Token Economy A token economy, is a type of secondary reinforcement where an individual earns tokens for performing targeted behaviors (Wallin, 2004), such as completing tasks or behaving in desired ways (Educate Autism, 2011). According to Karen Plumley (2010), one of the most effective classroom strategy used for students, especially those with a disability, is the use of a token economy. The token economy is used as behavioral modification through positive reinforcement that has been derived from the basic principal of operant conditioning and the work of B.F. Skinner (KidsMakingChange.com, 2008). It is a method of strengthening a wanted or desired behavior, or increasing its frequency (Educate Autism, 2011). The primary goal or purpose of the token economy is to increase desirable behaviors and decrease undesirable behaviors, mainly to teach appropriate behaviors and social skills that are used in the individual’s natural environment (Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders,
The Token Economy A token economy, is a type of secondary reinforcement where an individual earns tokens for performing targeted behaviors (Wallin, 2004), such as completing tasks or behaving in desired ways (Educate Autism, 2011). According to Karen Plumley (2010), one of the most effective classroom strategy used for students, especially those with a disability, is the use of a token economy. The token economy is used as behavioral modification through positive reinforcement that has been derived from the basic principal of operant conditioning and the work of B.F. Skinner (KidsMakingChange.com, 2008). It is a method of strengthening a wanted or desired behavior, or increasing its frequency (Educate Autism, 2011). The primary goal or purpose of the token economy is to increase desirable behaviors and decrease undesirable behaviors, mainly to teach appropriate behaviors and social skills that are used in the individual’s natural environment (Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders,
References: Cooper, J., Heron, T., & Heward, W. (2007). Applied Behaviour Analysis. New Jersey: Pearson Education. Educate Autism. (2011). Token economy. Retrieved from http://www.educateautism.com/token -economy.html Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders (2011). Token economy system. Retrieved from http:// www.minddisorders.com/Py-Z/Token-economy-system.html Gongola, L., & Sweeney, J. (2011). Managing classroom behaviors: Tools to facilitate behavior interventions in the general education setting Plumley, K. (2010). Token Economy for Autism. Retrieved from http://karenplumley. Tarbox, R., Ghezzia, P., & Wilson G. (2004). The effects of token reinforcement on attending in a young child with autism Wallin, J.M. (2004). Visual Supports: Token Economies. Retrieved from http://www.polyxo. com/visualsupport/tokeneconomies.html Wikipedia.com (2011)