Question

(A) Create your own scenario in which it may be appropriate to create a token econmy.

(B) Identify 3 specific target behaviors that would be appropriate for this scenario.

(C) Identify two tokens that could be used

(D) Identify three specific back-up reinforcers

(E) Identify a reinforcement scedule that may be appropriate for this token economy and explain why you chose that schedule.

Answer 1

(A) Token economy:

• It is a behavioral change in humans that increase the positive and negative traits of personality by using tokens.

• Tokens provide a positive and negative reinforcement to the people because of the behavior or action.

• People use tokens to punish or reward other people as management of a token economy.

• Token economy helps to bring a positive behavioral change for tokens such as money, toys, and food items.

• For example, parents reward their children with toys while celebrating festivals such as Christmas, New Year, and so on.

Scenario of the token economy:

• Wayne is a professor teaching history at a college in the United States. He uses tokens such as chocolates to reward a student who provides good answers to his questions.

• Also, he scolds the children and reduces the assessment marks when a student cannot solve the problem.

• Wayne uses the evidence-based case study technique while teaching history to the class.

• Hallie solved the case study answers by supporting evidence. Hence, Wayne got satisfied with her answering technique and gave chocolate to Hallie.

• This example showcases a positive reinforcement technique using chocolates tokens.

(B) Target behavior:

• People reward others with tokens to participate in target behavior. They exchange rewards such as money, food, or other amenities to other people as a reinforcement technique.

• Here, the professor rewards the student with chocolate as a reinforcement technique. It makes the student feel happy and satisfied with her achievement.

The 3 specific target behaviors of this scenario are:

1. The student, Hallie lifts her hand to provide an answer to the professor’s question:

• As Hallie knows the professor’s question, she immediately lifts her hand to let the professor see that she knows the answer.

• This technique is a target behavior because it helps people understand the perception of others.

2. The professor listens and analyzes the student’s answering technique:

• As Hallie answers using an evidence-based technique, the professor analyzes her answer

• He tests whether the answer fits criteria.

• The professor depicts a target behavior by analyzing Hallie’s answer.

3. The professor feels satisfied with the student’s answer and motivates her by giving chocolates to reward her:

• As Hallie has given the correct answer using an evidence-based technique, the professor feels satisfied and happy with her answer.

• Hence, the professor uses a positive reinforcement technique to reward Hallie.

(C) The two tokens that can be used in the scenario are:

1. The professor can use interactive learning mechanisms such as organizing singing games to reward the students in the classroom.

• Classroom games engage the students to develop cognitive learning skills

• They help to increase teamwork

• They enhance reasoning and decision-making skills.

2. When a student behaves in a good manner, the professor can give praise as tokens to reward the student in the classroom.

• Praises help to boost the confidence and self-esteem of the students.

• They increase the student’s motivation levels.

• The student can become inspired and feel happy.

• It can engage the student to be more vigilant of their behavior.

(D) Three specific back-up reinforcement techniques are:

1. Conditioned reinforcement:

This reinforcement behavior occurs because:

• Secondary reinforcement combines with primary reinforcement for reacting to a stimulus that becomes gratifying.

• The secondary stimulus can strengthen personality and attitude with the help of the learning mechanism.

• In the scenario, the professor uses tokens such as rewards and gifts to encourage the students in the classroom to behave in a good way.

2. Positive reinforcement:

• It is giving in the return to the person for their positive and good behavior.

• It helps to strengthen the behavior of the person for making it occur in the future.

• In the scenario, the professor praises and gives chocolates to Hallie as a positive reinforcement.

3. Negative reinforcement:

This reinforcement behavior occurs because:

• It strengthens the behavior by using reinforcement techniques such as punishments to bring a change in attitude.

• In the scenario, the professor scolds and reduces the assessment marks of the students. This situation relates to the negative reinforcement technique.

(E) Reinforcement schedule:

• They are vital in understanding the cognitive development and learning of the people.

• People often use reinforcement techniques to strengthen and change the behavior of others in society.

• The schedule helps to predict and assess the behavior that requires reinforcements.

Variable interval, schedule:

• People use this schedule to regularly assess the behavior of others using reinforcement techniques.

• In the scenario, the professor periodically uses an evidence-based case study technique to monitor the student’s performance. As the students want to secure good marks in his assessment, they work harder to support their answers using the evidence-based technique. The professor questions the students at regular time intervals and rewards them using positive reinforcement techniques.

Variable interval, schedule is beneficial because:

• It helps the people to monitor the behavior of others in society.

• It assesses the performance of the people periodically.

• Reinforcement mechanisms help to change the behavior of the people in the future.