Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rdxmf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-01T00:26:13.572Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The Role of Food Substitutes in a Token Economy System

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Derek W. Scott
Affiliation:
St Andrew's Hospital, Northampton
Rodger Ll. Wood*
Affiliation:
St Andrew's Hospital, Northampton
*
Correspondence

Abstract

Data from five behaviour management (token economy) units were analysed for periods of 10–20 weeks before and after the use of a food substitute (Complan®), provided when insufficient tokens had been earned to buy a full- or part-meal. The efficacy of this form of negative punishment to control disturbed and aggressive behaviour was examined. No evidence was found to suggest that the contingent use of a food substitute made any contribution to the therapeutic process.

Type
Brief Reports
Copyright
Copyright © 1987 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Ayllon, T. (1963) Intensive treatment of psychotic behavior by stimulus satiation and food reinforcement. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 1, 5361.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ayllon, T. & Haughton, E. (1962) Control of the behaviour of schizophrenic patients by food. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 5, 343352.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fraser, D. (1983) From token economy to social information system: the emergence of critical variables. In Current Issues in Clinical Psychology, ed. Karas, E., Vol. 1. New York: Plenum Press.Google Scholar
Hall, J. & Baker, R. (1986) Token economies and schizophrenia: A review. In Contemporary Issues in Schizophrenia, eds Kerr, A. and Snaith, P. London: Gaskell.Google Scholar
Higson, P. J., Woods, P. A., Tannahill, M. M. & Ellis, N. C. (1985) The role of meCals as a reinforcing event in a token economy programme. British Journal of Psychiatry, 147, 170174.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Innis, N. K. (1981) Ethics of behavior modification: Behavioral and medical psychology. In Social Science Medicine, 15F, 6973.Google Scholar
Kazdin, A. E. (1977) The Token Economy: A Review and Evaluation. New York: Plenum Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lowe, C. F. & Higson, P. J. (1983) Is all behaviour modification Cognitive'? In Current Issues in Clinical Psychology, ed. Karas, E., Vol. 1. New York: Plenum Press.Google Scholar
Moyes, T., Tennant, T. G. & Bedford, A. P. (1985) Long-term follow-up study of a ward-based behaviour modification programme for adolescents with acting out and conduct disorders. British Journal of Psychiatry, 147, 300305.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stolz, S. B. (1976) Ethical issues in behaviour modification. In Ethics of Social Intervention, eds Bermant, G. & Kelman, H. Washington, DC: Hemisphere.Google Scholar
Wexler, D. B. (1973) Token and Taboo: Behavior modification, token economies, and the law. California Law Review, 61, 81109.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wexler, D. B. (1975) Reflections on the legal regulation of behavior modification in institutional settings. Arizona Law Review, 17, 132143.Google ScholarPubMed
Submit a response

eLetters

No eLetters have been published for this article.