Token Economy (Noun)
Meaning
A form of behavior therapy that has been used in some mental institutions; patients are rewarded with tokens for appropriate behavior and the tokens may be cashed in for valued rewards.
Classification
Nouns denoting acts or actions.
Examples
- The institution implemented a token economy to encourage patients to participate in their daily therapy sessions and other productive activities.
- A token economy system allowed patients to trade their earned tokens for items from the hospital store or for special privileges such as watching TV or making phone calls.
- In this unique therapeutic setting, the token economy served as a key component of the overall behavioral modification strategy.
- Patients quickly adapted to the token economy, with some accumulating hundreds of tokens to exchange for valuable rewards and treats.
- By reinforcing desired behaviors with tokens, the token economy program significantly improved patient engagement and overall behavior within the institution.