PBIS Token Economy & Reward Systems 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A teacher notices students are losing interest in earning stickers as tokens. What is the BEST strategy to address this satiation problem?
- Increase the number of stickers required to earn backup reinforcers
- Rotate the types of tokens used or introduce novelty into the system (Correct answer)
- Remove the token economy and rely solely on verbal praise
- Reduce the frequency of token delivery to make them more valuable
Correct answer: Rotate the types of tokens used or introduce novelty into the system
Rotating token types or adding novelty prevents satiation by maintaining the reinforcing value of the token system.
Question 2: In a school-wide PBIS token economy, a student earns tokens in every class except one. What should the PBIS team investigate first?
- Whether the student has an undiagnosed learning disability
- Whether the backup reinforcers are appropriate for the student
- Whether the token delivery in that class is consistent and contingent (Correct answer)
- Whether the student's parents are reinforcing behavior at home
Correct answer: Whether the token delivery in that class is consistent and contingent
Inconsistent token delivery in one setting is the most likely reason for a student succeeding everywhere else but not there.
Question 3: Which backup reinforcer type typically has the broadest appeal across a diverse student population in a PBIS token store?
- Activity-based reinforcers like free reading time or game time (Correct answer)
- Edible reinforcers such as candy or snacks
- Tangible reinforcers like small toys or prizes
- Social reinforcers like a certificate of achievement
Correct answer: Activity-based reinforcers like free reading time or game time
Activity-based reinforcers tend to have broad appeal, avoid allergy/dietary concerns, and align well with school values.
Question 4: A PBIS practitioner wants to use a 'mystery motivator' variation of token economy. What does this approach involve?
- Students do not know which behaviors will earn tokens until after they occur
- The backup reinforcer is concealed and revealed only when students meet a token goal (Correct answer)
- Tokens are distributed randomly rather than contingent on behavior
- Staff randomly select which students receive tokens each day
Correct answer: The backup reinforcer is concealed and revealed only when students meet a token goal
A mystery motivator conceals the backup reinforcer to build anticipation and sustain motivation toward earning the required tokens.
Question 5: When designing a token economy for a student with autism spectrum disorder, which modification is MOST likely to be necessary?
- Using abstract tokens like points on a whiteboard rather than physical objects
- Conducting a preference assessment to identify individualized backup reinforcers (Correct answer)
- Requiring a higher token ratio to build frustration tolerance
- Eliminating the token economy in favor of a purely social reinforcement approach
Correct answer: Conducting a preference assessment to identify individualized backup reinforcers
Preference assessments are critical for students with ASD because their reinforcer preferences may differ significantly from neurotypical peers.
Question 6: A student frequently spends tokens immediately on low-value backup reinforcers instead of saving for preferred items. What intervention addresses this?
- Introduce a savings bonus where tokens held longer earn a multiplier or bonus reward (Correct answer)
- Remove low-value items from the token store entirely
- Reduce the price of high-value items so students don't need to save
- Praise students who save tokens but do not provide additional reinforcement
Correct answer: Introduce a savings bonus where tokens held longer earn a multiplier or bonus reward
A savings bonus provides an additional incentive for delayed exchange, teaching students to tolerate delay of gratification.
Question 7: Which data metric is MOST useful for evaluating whether a classroom token economy is functionally effective?
- The total number of tokens distributed per week
- The percentage of students who visit the token store
- Changes in the frequency or rate of target behaviors over time (Correct answer)
- The variety of backup reinforcers available in the token store
Correct answer: Changes in the frequency or rate of target behaviors over time
The ultimate measure of a token economy's effectiveness is whether it produces measurable changes in the target behaviors it was designed to address.
PBIS Token Economy & Reward Systems 2
A teacher notices students are losing interest in earning stickers as tokens.
What is the BEST strategy to address this satiation problem?