What is the primary purpose of using a token economy?

The primary purpose of using a token economy is to increase desirable behaviors through a system of rewards. In a token economy, individuals earn tokens for demonstrating specific desired behaviors. These tokens can later be exchanged for various reinforcing items or privileges, thereby motivating individuals to engage in positive behaviors. This approach leverages principles from behaviorism, specifically operant conditioning, where reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

In this context, the system serves not only as a means of immediate reinforcement for positive actions but also teaches individuals about delayed gratification by allowing them to save tokens for larger rewards. The focus on reinforcement helps to shape behavior over time, making it an effective strategy in settings such as classrooms or therapy.