Token Economies (OCR A-Level Psychology): Revision Notes
12.4.1 Token Economies
Token economies are used to manage symptoms of schizophrenia. They involve rewarding patients with tokens for displaying desired behaviours, which can later be exchanged for privileges or rewards.
Examples: In a psychiatric ward, patients can receive tokens for attending therapy sessions, engaging in social interactions etc. These tokens act as a form of positive reinforcement, encouraging patients to adopt healthier behaviours.
Evaluation:
P: Despite their benefits, token economies can be challenging to implement and maintain over the long term.
E: The success of token economies relies heavily on the commitment of staff, which can be difficult to sustain in under-resourced settings.
E: For example, if staff turnover is high or resources are limited, maintaining the consistency needed for a token economy programme can be problematic.