Critical Variables in Token Economy Systems: A Review of the Literature and a Description of Current Research

Abstract

There can be little doubt that ward-based operant programmes have achieved considerable success in relieving the handicaps of many chronic schizophrenic patients (Atthowe and Krasner, 1965; Ayllon and Azrin, 1968; Kazdin, 1977). In addition, there are now several comparative studies of the token economy (T.E.) and the more traditional therapeutic approaches. Osborne and Adams (1970), found improvements in certain target areas when a reinforcement programme was compared with the traditional form of institutional control in a school for the deaf. Further evidence for the superiority of operant methods over social therapy techniques is provided by Stoffelmayr, Faulkner and Mitchell (1973). The T.E. programme which they implemented, differed from the two social therapy regimes with which it was compared, primarily in that the programmes were devised, specifying the behaviours which were to be encouraged and in that these behaviours when they occurred, were systematically reinforced. The results showed that when the two forms of treatment were compared using direct observation and rating scale techniques, the T.E. regime was superior to social therapy in promoting the following changes: an increase in social interaction, a decrease in apathy (operationally defined), and an increase in self help skills.