This document discusses token economies, which use conditioned reinforcers or "tokens" that can be saved and later exchanged for backup reinforcers. Token economies bridge the gap between a behavior and its reinforcement by allowing tokens to be earned immediately but redeemed later. Steps in developing a token economy include choosing target behaviors, baseline data collection, selecting a variety of backup reinforcers, choosing tokens that are not easily counterfeited, record keeping, and programming for generalization beyond the token system. Token economies can be used to modify behavior in various settings like hospitals, institutions, and work environments.

1. Behavior Modification Token Economies – Ryan Sain

2. Tokens Conditioned reinforcers If the reinforcer is something that can last a period of time and be ‘saved’ and later exchanged for something it is a TOKEN. Money Lottery tickets – winning vs. losing Gaming tickets Coffee cards

3. Token Economy The situation that has been developed Can be ‘natural’ Can be ‘artificial’ Can be temporary Can be permanent Allows for exchange of conditioned reinforcers for backup reinforcers

4. Advantages Immediate vs. Delayed reinforcement Token ‘bridges’ the gap between behavior and backup reinforcer (delay) Pairing tokens with many backup reinforcers causes the token to become a generalized conditioned reinforcer Does not require a motivating operation for strength

5. Steps in developing a Token Economy Choose target behavior Long term goals What prerequisites exist (behavior wise) to achieve them The more homogenous the group the easier they are to manage Individual differences still exist – be prepared to be flexible Baseline Always establish baseline of target behaviors (and/or their prerequisites

6. Steps: Reinforcers. Choosing backup reinforcers Choose many Choose a wide variety More options than for typical reinforcers (because they don’t have to be delivered immediately). Ethics – reinforcers that are normally available cannot be withheld with many individuals (TV, meals, etc) How are you going to dispense them?

7. Steps: How to choose a token What sorts of tokens should you use? Not easily counterfeited Automation? Quantity

8. Steps: Assistance Small token economies Large Hospitals Institutions Work environments

9. Implementation Record keeping Reinforcing Agent Quantity and frequency Keep your schedule rich to begin with then thin it out Managing backup reinforcers Rich  Thin

10. Implementation cont. Punishment contingencies Supervision of staff Don’t forget to reinforce them! Handle problems early and often Confusion, staffing, theft of tokens, distractions, not spending the tokens

11. A manual Make use of rules For the client For the managers Establish a clear manual targeted at each group

12. Generalization Program for generalization Social reinforcement of desirable behavior is the key Tie your token to social reinforcers as well Fade out the procedure Decrease value Allow the client to plan their own reinforcersand behaviors.