You need to know one treatment from the learning approach (token economy, aversion therapy or systematic desensitisation) Token economy is used below as an example.
TOKEN ECONOMY
Token economy is a behaviour modification technique that uses the principles of operant conditioning. It seeks to change behaviour through positive reinforcement. This is known as behaviour shaping.
The individual firstly discusses what the desired behaviour will be e.g. in school it may be not to shout out in class.
An exchange rate will also be set, so that the person knows how many tokens they will need to collect in order to gain a reward. Tokens are secondary reinforcers and can be exchanged for primary reinforcers. As the behaviour becomes more firmly established earning the tokens will get harder as the reinforcement schedule will change e.g. tokens only given once a week rather than each day or every time the child does not shout out.
Evaluation:
· Token economy is cheap as no specific training is required so any one can do it, however training is recommended to ensure consistency.
· Token economy takes into account individual differences, it can be personalised for the individual
· It may not generalise to situations where there are no tokens as a reward for the desired behaviour, meaning there is no long term change
· It works best in controlled settings where behaviour is monitored e.g. prisons, hospitals, schools
· It can be criticised as people are having basic rights taken away from them in order to earn them with tokens
· Individuals may simply change behaviour as a result of the reward leading to dependency and learned helplessness
TOKEN ECONOMY
Token economy is a behaviour modification technique that uses the principles of operant conditioning. It seeks to change behaviour through positive reinforcement. This is known as behaviour shaping.
The individual firstly discusses what the desired behaviour will be e.g. in school it may be not to shout out in class.
An exchange rate will also be set, so that the person knows how many tokens they will need to collect in order to gain a reward. Tokens are secondary reinforcers and can be exchanged for primary reinforcers. As the behaviour becomes more firmly established earning the tokens will get harder as the reinforcement schedule will change e.g. tokens only given once a week rather than each day or every time the child does not shout out.
Evaluation:
· Token economy is cheap as no specific training is required so any one can do it, however training is recommended to ensure consistency.
· Token economy takes into account individual differences, it can be personalised for the individual
· It may not generalise to situations where there are no tokens as a reward for the desired behaviour, meaning there is no long term change
· It works best in controlled settings where behaviour is monitored e.g. prisons, hospitals, schools
· It can be criticised as people are having basic rights taken away from them in order to earn them with tokens
· Individuals may simply change behaviour as a result of the reward leading to dependency and learned helplessness