Ethics Paper - Token Economy

Ethics Discussion Paper: Token Economy Token Economy The token economy system uses the principles of operant conditioning to shape behavior through selective positive reinforcement. It is one of the several behavior management systems that utilize Skinner's principles. A token-based system is intended to encourage desirable behavior and discourage undesirable behavior. It typically involves certain rules for how students may gain and/or lose tokens, and the tokens may be redeemed for a reward, which should be reinforcing for the student (Filcheck & McNeil, 2004). Token economies are used to reward the student with stickers, stamps, etc. to represent the actual reinforcement. After a student receives a certain amount of stickers, the student will be able to exchange them for their reinforcement. Overall, the primary goal or purpose of the token economy is to increase desirable behaviors and decrease undesirable behaviors, mainly to teach appropriate behaviors and social skills that are used in the individual’s natural environment (Token Economy System | Encyclopedia.Com, 2011). Token boards have shown to be effective in a clinical and school setting. Risk Benefit Analysis Token board economies have many benefits for decreasing the undesirable behavior, however, token boards also have a few negatives when implementing it. The three main risks with implementing a token board are, difficulties in fading the reward in the Token Board System with continuous target behavior, the reward is more important than targeted behavior, and being unable to generalize a new skill taught. Routines and expectations help children with Autism Spectrum Disorder perform better. This helps reduce anxiety in the child by informing them what to do next (Center, 2021). However, some children may become overly reliant on the Token Board System, which leads to their inability to perform the desired behavior when the reward is removed. This creates a risk for the child to start regressing towards the targeted goal. In addition, when a child works for rewards on the token board he or she becomes used to interacting with rewards as reinforcement for desired behavior. Once that reward is removed, along with the token board system, it will then significantly reduce the motivation of the child. The child will not be able to perform as effectively without the reward and the token board system (Center, 2021). Eventually, it will lead to the reward being more important than the targeted behavior. The implementation of a token board can also lead to potentially impeding the generalization of the new skill that is being taught.By using the tokens, the child learns to perform an expected behavior, but in most natural settings, tokens are not used to reinforce the behavior. Overall, any behavioral intervention will have these main three risks. Other generalized risks that other interventions may have are reinforcing the inappropriate behavior, not implementing with fidelity and consistency, and risks of running into cultural barriers. Token economies are simple, structured, and concrete. With a token board system, a child can predict how many more tokens they will need to accrue before receiving the reward. The child is informed of what is expected from them in order to receive the token and they are able to see how many more tokens are left to get the reward. This then allows for an increase of the target behavior. It is crucial that they are informed, beforehand, that a reward will be given to them upon completion of receiving all tokens. This increases the motivation of the child to achieve the desired behavior. The higher the motivation is, the higher the value of the reward becomes for the child. Lastly, the reinforcement in a token board system is immediate. Once all tokens are accumulated, the child can exchange it for their rewards. During this intervention, delayed gratification is also taught by asking the child to perform the desired task and then giving them the reward (Carnett et al., 2014). Token boards have shown to be very effective in a classroom setting. Summary From an overall perspective, token boards are very effective but it can potentially come with a few risks. Fading out the reward that comes with the token board while still expecting the target behavior may be difficult at first. Being dependent on the token board may occur and can lead to the inability to perform the desired behavior when the reward is removed. If this occurs, you will begin to notice regression rather than progressing to reach the end goal. This can cause frustration and reduce any kind of motivation. The reward can end up being more important than the targeted behavior. It could lead to not performing as effectively, knowing the reward was removed. Lasty, it could create confusion in generalizing the new skill that is being taught. Most natural settings don’t utilize tokens to reinforce the behavior. On the other hand, many benefits come with the utilization of the token board. They are simple to follow, very structured, and concrete. You will be able to predict the amount of tokens that are needed to receive the reward. Token boards also inform of what is expected in order to receive the token and allows you to visually see how tokens are left to receive the reward. Being allowed to work for the reinforcer that is chosen, increases the motivation to achieve the desired behavior. The higher the motivation becomes, the higher the value of the reinforcer becomes. The reinforcement in a token board system is immediate once all the tokens are accumulated. The token board is exchanged in order to receive the reinforcement. Ethical Considerations Every behavioral intervention must abide by the ethical codes. The top three ethical codes to ensure is followed for a token board implementation are, 2.01 Providing Effective Treatment Behavior analysts prioritize clients’ rights and needs in service delivery, 2.16 Describing Behavior-Change Interventions Before Implementation Before implementation, and 4.06 Providing Supervision and Training. The top priority ethic code to follow would be 2.16 Describing Behavior-Change Interventions Before Implementation. The behavioral analysts must describe in writing the objectives and procedures of the behavior-change intervention, any projected timelines, and the schedule of ongoing review (BACB, 2020). It is also important that they explain the environmental conditions necessary for effective implementation of the behavior-change intervention to the client/client’s family. By not following this ethics code, there is a chance of implementing an intervention that is not appropriate for the client. The second code that must be followed is 4.06 Providing Supervision and Training. Behavior analysts design and implement supervision and training procedures that are evidence based, focus on positive reinforcement, and are individualized for each supervisee or trainee and their circumstances (BACB, 2020). It is important for the BCBA to supervise and train the RBTs and supervisees on any intervention that is introduced. This then leads to the last ethics code 2.01 Providing Effective Treatment. Behavior analysts provide services that are conceptually consistent with behavioral principles, based on scientific evidence, and designed to maximize desired outcomes for and protect all clients, stakeholders, supervisees, trainees, and research participants from harm (BACB, 2020). Providing effective treatment is very important to ensure the client is receiving quality therapy. It is important to prioritize clients’ rights and needs in service delivery. The ethical principles that should be used to guide decision making when looking at are autonomy, dignity, and the pursuit of excellence. Autonomy is the promotion of independence and self-sufficiency. It is important to ensure the intervention promotes the learner’s independence rather than the learner becoming dependent on someone. According dignity is also very important to incorporate and ensure the intervention implements this principle. The client must be treated with dignity and respect. Before implementing the intervention it is important to consider the ethics codes. It is important to be respectful to the client and make the client feel valued. Lastly, it is important to take pursuit of excellence into consideration. It is important to stay current with any new changes that are made for this intervention. Change is always happening in the field of ABA so it is important to keep up with the latest research in the interventions that are implemented. In the end, the main goal is to set up the client for success in order for them to reach their goal.