The token economy: an evaluative review.

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Psychology
• Applied Behavior Analysis

Background:

• Token economies are widely used behavior modification strategies.
• Implementation can be hindered by factors like staff training and client resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the application and challenges of token economies across various populations.
• To highlight the critical issue of behavior generalization and maintenance.

Main Methods:

• Review of studies utilizing token programs with diverse groups (psychiatric patients, children, delinquents, autistic individuals).
• Analysis of implementation obstacles and therapeutic efficacy.

Main Results:

• Token economies are effective during active implementation.
• Generalization of behavior gains and resistance to extinction remain under-examined issues.

Conclusions:

• While successful in the short term, token economies require strategies to ensure lasting behavioral changes.
• Procedures for facilitating performance maintenance post-reinforcement withdrawal are proposed.
• Methodological recommendations for future research are provided.