Management of schiz
Token economies are reward systems used to manage behaviour of schiz
patients, particularly those who developed maladaptive behaviour through
time in psychiatric hospitals. It doesn’t cure schiz, but improves their quality of
life, more likely they can live outside a hospital setting.
Based on operant conditioning. Tokens are immediately given to patients when
they carry out desirable behaviour thar has been targeted towards the
patient’s for reinforcement. The immediacy of reward is important because it
prevents ‘delay discounting’, the reduced effect of a delayed reward. The token
can be swapped for tangible rewards, they are secondary reinforcers as they
are only valuable once patient knows they used to exchange rewards.
Evaluation
Ayllon and azrin trialled a token economy system in a ward of women w/ schiz.
Everytime p’s carried out a task they were given a plastic token which could be
swapped for ward privileges like watching a film. The no. of tasks carried out
increased significantly. Use of token economy has declined because of growth
of community-based care and closure of psychiatric hospitals. But still remains
a standard approach to managing schiz in many parts of world.
Strength of TE for management of schiz is evidence for their effectiveness.
Glowacki identified studies that examined effectiveness of token economies for
people w/ health issues such as schiz and involved patients living in hospital
setting. All studies showed reduction in negative symptoms and decline in
frequency of unwanted behaviours. Supports the value of TE.
Token economies are reward systems used to manage behaviour of schiz
patients, particularly those who developed maladaptive behaviour through
time in psychiatric hospitals. It doesn’t cure schiz, but improves their quality of
life, more likely they can live outside a hospital setting.
Based on operant conditioning. Tokens are immediately given to patients when
they carry out desirable behaviour thar has been targeted towards the
patient’s for reinforcement. The immediacy of reward is important because it
prevents ‘delay discounting’, the reduced effect of a delayed reward. The token
can be swapped for tangible rewards, they are secondary reinforcers as they
are only valuable once patient knows they used to exchange rewards.
Evaluation
Ayllon and azrin trialled a token economy system in a ward of women w/ schiz.
Everytime p’s carried out a task they were given a plastic token which could be
swapped for ward privileges like watching a film. The no. of tasks carried out
increased significantly. Use of token economy has declined because of growth
of community-based care and closure of psychiatric hospitals. But still remains
a standard approach to managing schiz in many parts of world.
Strength of TE for management of schiz is evidence for their effectiveness.
Glowacki identified studies that examined effectiveness of token economies for
people w/ health issues such as schiz and involved patients living in hospital
setting. All studies showed reduction in negative symptoms and decline in
frequency of unwanted behaviours. Supports the value of TE.
