PBIS Token Economy & Reward Systems 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A PBIS team wants to fade a token economy after students have achieved behavioral goals. Which fading sequence is MOST appropriate?
- Abruptly remove tokens once goals are met to test maintenance
- Gradually thin the reinforcement schedule, then shift to natural reinforcers (Correct answer)
- Replace tokens with a point system before removing all external reinforcement
- Have students vote on when to end the token economy
Correct answer: Gradually thin the reinforcement schedule, then shift to natural reinforcers
Gradual thinning of the reinforcement schedule followed by transitioning to naturally occurring reinforcers supports maintenance of behavior change.
Question 2: Response cost in a token economy is BEST described as which of the following?
- The number of tokens a student must earn before accessing backup reinforcers
- The removal of previously earned tokens contingent on a target problem behavior (Correct answer)
- The cost to purchase backup reinforcers from the token store
- The delay between earning tokens and exchanging them for backup reinforcers
Correct answer: The removal of previously earned tokens contingent on a target problem behavior
Response cost is a form of negative punishment in which earned tokens are removed following the occurrence of a specified problem behavior.
Question 3: Which consideration is MOST important before implementing response cost in a student's token economy?
- Ensuring the student has earned enough tokens that losing some will not result in a zero or negative balance (Correct answer)
- Consulting with the student's parents before removing any tokens
- Selecting a response cost amount equal to the number of tokens earned per day
- Removing response cost if the student protests the loss of tokens
Correct answer: Ensuring the student has earned enough tokens that losing some will not result in a zero or negative balance
Students must have a sufficient token reserve so that response cost does not result in a zero balance, which can cause the token system to lose its function.
Question 4: A PBIS team is designing a group contingency token economy where the whole class earns tokens placed in a jar. This is an example of which type of group contingency?
- Independent group contingency
- Interdependent group contingency (Correct answer)
- Dependent group contingency
- Differential group contingency
Correct answer: Interdependent group contingency
An interdependent group contingency requires the whole group to collectively meet a criterion before all members access the backup reinforcer.
Question 5: When a student exchanges tokens for a backup reinforcer that is no longer available in the store, the BEST immediate response is to:
- Return the tokens to the student and allow them to choose an available item
- Hold the tokens and promise the item will be available next week
- Provide a substitute item of similar value chosen by the student (Correct answer)
- Document the incident but do not alter the standard exchange procedure
Correct answer: Provide a substitute item of similar value chosen by the student
Allowing the student to select a substitute of similar value maintains trust in the system and prevents extinction of token-earning behavior.
Question 6: A fourth-grade teacher wants to use a token economy to increase on-task behavior. Which target behavior definition is MOST measurable for this purpose?
- Student is engaged and focused during class
- Student shows positive academic behavior throughout the period
- Student maintains eye contact with academic materials or the teacher during instruction (Correct answer)
- Student demonstrates effort and participation in class activities
Correct answer: Student maintains eye contact with academic materials or the teacher during instruction
An observable, measurable definition like eye contact with materials or the teacher allows for consistent and reliable token delivery.
Question 7: Which research-based schedule of reinforcement is MOST effective for maintaining a well-established target behavior within a token economy?
- Fixed ratio schedule
- Continuous reinforcement schedule
- Variable ratio schedule (Correct answer)
- Fixed interval schedule
Correct answer: Variable ratio schedule
Variable ratio schedules produce the highest, most consistent rates of behavior and are most resistant to extinction once a behavior is established.
PBIS Token Economy & Reward Systems 3
A PBIS team wants to fade a token economy after students have achieved behavioral goals.
Which fading sequence is MOST appropriate?