Operant Conditioning: Token Economy
MCAT Psychology - Chapter 5- Section 1 - Learning - Associative Learning
- Home
- »
- MCAT Masterclass
- »
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
- »
- Psychology
- »
- Learning
- »
- Associative Learning
- »
- Operant Conditioning: Token Economy – MCAT Psychology
Play Video about MCAT Psychology - Learning - Associative Learning - Token Economy
Sample MCAT Question - Operant Conditioning: Token Economy
Which of the following is true about rewards in a token economy?
a) They are primary reinforcers.
b) They are secondary reinforcers.
c) They can be exchanged for tokens.
d) They are objects or symbols.
A is correct.
Rewards are materialistic prizes, services, or privileges. They are primary reinforcers because they have inherent value. Answer choice B is incorrect because rewards have inherent reinforcing value, unlike secondary reinforcers. Answer choice C is incorrect because even though tokens can be exchanged for rewards, rewards are not exchanged for tokens. Answer choice D is incorrect because rewards are not objects or symbols. Instead, they have innate reinforcing qualities.
Get 1-on-1 MCAT Tutoring From a Specialist
With MCAT tutoring from MedSchoolCoach, we are committed to help you prepare, excel, and optimize your ideal score on the MCAT exam.
For each student we work with, we learn about their learning style, content knowledge, and goals. We match them with the most suitable tutor and conduct online sessions that make them feel as if they are in the classroom. Each session is recorded, plus with access to whiteboard notes. We focus on high-yield topics if you’re pressed for time. If you have more time or high-score goals, we meticulously cover the entire MCAT syllabus.
See if MCAT Tutoring is Right for Me
Token Economy - What You Need to Know for the MCAT
Operant conditioning is a psychological concept that explores how behavior is shaped through the consequences that follow it. One specific application of operant conditioning is the token economy system. Token economy refers to a behavior modification technique where individuals are rewarded with tokens or points for exhibiting desired behaviors. These tokens can then be exchanged for various incentives or privileges. By employing this system, the aim is to encourage and reinforce positive behaviors while discouraging negative ones. Token economy has been widely utilized in various settings, including schools, psychiatric facilities, and rehabilitation centers, as it provides a structured framework for promoting positive change and shaping behavior in a systematic and effective manner.
Token Economy
A token economy is a system used for reinforcing target behaviors based on the principles of operant conditioning. Operant conditioning is a type of learning through which the behaviors of individuals is shaped and strengthened through rewards and punishments.
A token economy has three elements. First, there aretokens, which are objects or symbols that can be exchanged for rewards. Tokens are an example of a secondary reinforcer, because they are not intrinsically rewarding, but which can be exchanged for rewards, which may be primary reinforcers. Second, there are rewards, which include materialistic prizes, services, or privileges that have inherent reinforcing value.Finally, there are target behaviors, which are behaviors that participants can perform in order to receive tokens.
For example, consider a classroom where a teacher gives students stickers for answering questions. These stickers can, in turn, be traded in for snacks. The stickers serve as tokens, snacks are rewards, and answering questions is a target behavior.
PrevPreviousOperant Conditioning: Reinforcement Schedules – MCAT Psychology
Explore More MCAT Masterclass Chapters
Take a closer look at our entire MCAT Masterclass or explore our Biochemistry lessons below.
Start Lesson »
Systematic Desensitization – MCAT Psychology
Start Lesson »
Structure of the Eye – MCAT Psychology
Start Lesson »
Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development – MCAT Psychology
Start Lesson »
One-on-One Tutoring
Are you ready to take your MCAT performance to a whole new level? Work with our 99th-percentile MCAT tutors to boost your score by 12 points or more!
See if MCAT Tutoring can help me
Learn About MCAT Tutoring
Talk to our enrollment team about MCAT Tutoring
Book a Free Consultation
MCAT Go Audio Course
Engaging audio learning to take your MCAT learning on the go, any time, any where. You'll be on the way to a higher MCAT score no matter where you are. Listen to over 200+ lessons.
Listen Now
MCAT Practice Exams
Practice makes perfect! Our mock exams coupled with thorough explanations and in-depth analytics help students understand exactly where they stand.
Get Started
MCAT Prep App
Access hundreds of MCAT videos to help you study and raise your exam score. Augment your learning with expert-created flashcards and a question banks.
Download Now
