Token economy is based on the principles of operant conditioning and behavioral economics and can be situated within applied behavior analysis. Token economy in psychiatry is the principle or practice of rewarding desirable behavior with tokens which can be exchanged for goods or privileges, and sometimes punishing undesirable behavior by withholding or withdrawing such tokens. A token in token economy is an object or symbol that can be exchanged for material reinforcers, services, or privileges, called back-up reinforcers. This system of behavior modification in a token economy is based on the systematic reinforcement of target behavior. Token economy is a behavior therapy procedure based on operant learning principles.
Living in the Classroom: The Currency-Based Token Economy. Payne, James S. And Others.
Abstract: Various types of token economies and contingency contract systems are emerging throughout private and public educational programs. The basic idea of this book is that a token economy based on currency creates a real-life situation for children in the classroom. The goal of this book is to help the teacher establish a currency-based token economy that will make education in the classroom more relevant to the lives of children in today's society.
Chapter 1 justifies the use of a currency-based token economy in the classroom. This is followed by a chapter explaining the mechanics of such a system in the classroom. The next chapter outlines basic information that is needed to implement any token economy for people who are unfamiliar with the concept. Chapter 5 describes in detail the skills needed to operate a currency-based token economy in the classroom.
Effects of a token economy system within the
context of cooperative games on social behaviors of adolescents with emotional and
behavioral disorders. - Wolfe, B. D., Dattilo, J., Gast, D. L.
Abstract: Effects of a cooperative games and token economy programme on pro-social
and antisocial behaviours of 3 adolescents with emotional and behavioral
disorders from northeast Georgia, USA. With the introduction of cooperative games,
behaviors remained stable and unchanged. When a token economy system was introduced there
was an immediate increase in the number of pro-social behavior.