Entry
Entries A-Z
Token Economy (Education)
A token symbolizes or stands for something else, such as tickets or points that are traded in for commodities or privileges. In a token economy, tokens are used as reinforcers or rewards to produce behavior change. An implementation plan specifies target behaviors, describes how tokens are to be awarded, and explains how tokens may be redeemed. To increase positive behaviors or decrease negative behaviors, tokens are awarded based on compliance. The system works best when (a) one behavior at a time is targeted, (b) the reinforcement is immediate, and (c) the rewards for accumulated tokens are desired or meaningful.