Token Economy and Contingency Contracting

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Token Economy and Contingency Contracting

• Chapter Eight

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The major characteristics

• The direct focus on observable behavior
• Assessment of the behavior to be altered I.e.
  target behavior
• Evaluation of the effect of the program emphasis
  on demonstrating the empirical support.
• Effecting behavioral change that is socially
  significant.

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Token Economy

• Like many of the concepts we have already
  discussed, although you may not recognize the
  terminology, you are familiar with the concept.
  That is to say, if you receive a paycheck and
  spend it purchasing items, you are participating
  in a token economy.

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What is a Token Economy?

• A system used to motivate people to perform
  socially appropriate behavior while refraining
  from performing socially inappropriate behavior.
• They are given tokens for adaptive behaviors and
  lose tokens for maladaptive behaviors.

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Whats a token?

• A token can be anything from a poker chip, to a
  penny, to a point scored on a tally sheet. Tokens
  then are exchanged for a backup reinforce.

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Backup Reinforcers

• Anything can be used as a backup reinforcer, as
  long as the client finds it motivating.
  Remember, whats reinforcing for one person, may
  not be reinforcing for another.

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The basics of a Token Economy

• 1. A list of acceleration and deceleration
  target behaviors and the numbers of tokens that
  clients can earn or lose for performing tasks.
• Remember, target behavior is that you are looking
  to change. Be very specific so narrow in scope
  that others would observe only what you had in
  mind.

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• 2. Develop a list of backup reinforcers and the
  token cost of each.
• 3. Decide on the type of token to be used. Can be
  concrete or symbolic. Examples of concrete or
  tangible tokens would be poker chips, metal
  washers, pennies, etc.. Symbolic tokens would be
  points assigned.
• 4. Specify the rules and procedures for the
  operation of the token economy.

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Designing and implementing a token economyEight
Steps

• Step One Identify the behavior to be changed.
  Typically the behavior has been identified in
  rather a broad sense. The behavior to be altered
  is referred to as the target behavior. Remember,
  it should be very specific, so narrow in scope
  that others would observe only what you had in
  mind.

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Step Two Refine the target behavior

• A good target behavior has three basic
  characteristics
• The target behavior should not require any
  interpretation on the part of the observer
• The behavior must be countable and measurable
• Should be able to explain the definition to
  another person

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Step Three Establish a baseline

• The baseline rate of behavior refers to its
  frequency or rate of occurrence prior to any
  intervention. Serves as a standard against which
  the success of the program can be judged.

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Recording the frequency of behavior

• A variety of methods can be used as we have
  previously discussed. No matter which method you
  choose, there are two basic considerations to be
  adhered to
• designate behavior and situations that are to be
  measured
• train the observers

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Step Four Identify the backup reinforcer and
contingency

• This can be done during the collection of
  baseline data. The use of positive reinforcers
  should be your first choice.
• A Reinforcer Event Menu can be used to help the
  client identify a reinforcer.
• Whenever possible, try to use naturally occurring
  reinforcers such as social praise and access to
  preferred activities.

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• The reinforcement should immediately follow the
  desired behavior. There must be a contingency
  between the behavior and its consequence.

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Step Five Begin the program

• All the hard work is done! Now inform the client
  of the rules of the program and get started!
  Remember, its the program and not the person
  that is subject to evaluation if things dont
  work out.

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Step Six Observe the effects of the program

• This is basically a continuation of steps 4 and
  5. The baseline data are used as our basis of
  comparison during the program. Lets us know if
  we are succeeding or if modifications are needed.

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Step Seven If necessary, modify the program

• If the program is not working, several aspects of
  the program can be examined
• First, the program may need more time to take
  effect. Give the program at least 7-10 days
  before making any changes.
• Second, check for secondary reinforcers.
• Third, make sure the reinforcer is reinforcing!

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Step Eight Fade out the program

• If it is successful, it should put itself out of
  work! That is to say, that elements of the
  program are slowly faded out so that the target
  behavior occurs at a normal rate without the
  program.

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Does it work?

• Although our last slide suggests that behavioral
  programs do bring about change, token economies
  in particular come under scrutiny. We need to
  look at some of the questions raised in this
  regard.

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Rapid loss of treatment gains

• This is considered the major limitation of token
  economies. This is due to the environment in
  which the client typically functions. They
  resort back to the previous behavior because it
  is reinforced.

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Reinforcers are different from the real world

• Remember, to pair naturally occurring reinforcers
  such as praise with the tangible reinforcers
  being used in the program.

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Ethical and Humanitarian Objections

• This again goes back to the misconception of
  bribery that we have previously discussed.
• Evidence exists showing that token economies
  increase a clients self-esteem, self-respect,
  pride, and sense of self worth.

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Contingency Contract

• A written agreement that specifies the
  relationship between a target behavior and its
  consequences.

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Essential elements

• The contract is made up of the following
• clear unambiguous statements of the target
  behavior
• The consequences for performing the behavior
• The precise contingency between the target
  behavior and the consequences

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Steps in developing a contract

• Step One Select the reinforcer - the contractor
  and the contract decide on what will serve as
  reinforcers.

• Step Two Specify the consequences - Clearly
  specify what each person expects to gain by
  fulfilling the contract

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• Step Three Specify negative consequences -
  Identify in advance the negative consequences for
  failing to meet the terms of the contract.

• Step Four Sign the contract - All parties sign
  and date contract after they have read the
  contract. Keep the contract simple.

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• Step Six Termination of the contract - Allow for
  termination, but only after a meeting with all
  those that have signed the contract. Can
  discuss/clarify misconceptions.

• Step Five Monitor compliance - You can
  renegotiate the terms of the contract if you wish
  to change the target behavior or reinforcers
  being used.

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Behavioral Child Management

• The application of behavioral principles to child
  rearing.
• Traditional approaches have been found to be
  ineffective, since problem was with parent-child
  relationship

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Why is it needed?

• Parents give vague and inconsistent instructions
• Threaten rather than respond
• Administer ineffective consequences
• Fewer positives being offered

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Goals of Behavior Child Management Training

• Increase use of clear, direct, age appropriate
  instructions
• positive consequences for appropriate behavior
• consistent application of negative consequences

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Does it Work?

• BCM training has been found to be effective in
  modifying parent/child interactions
• BCM training has been applied effectively to a
  wide range of behavioral problems
• Generalization to other siblings
• Changes are consistently maintained over time

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All things considered...

• The techniques of token economies, contingency
  contracting and behavior child management
  training have all been proven to be highly
  effective in modifying human beahvior.