THE CELLBLOCK TOKEN ECONOMY: TOKEN REINFORCEMENT PROCEDURES IN A MAXIMUM SECURITY CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION FOR ADULT MALE FELONS

Two experiments were conducted (1) to explore the application of token reinforcement procedures in a maximum security correctional institution for adult male felons and (2) to determine to what extent the reinforcement procedures disrupted the day-to-day lives of inmate participants. In Experiment 1...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied behavior analysis 1976, Vol.9 (3), p.253-275
Main Authors: Milan, Michael A., McKee, John M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activities of Daily Living
Adolescent
Adult
adults
Behavior Therapy
contingent versus noncontingent
Crime
daily activities
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
prison inmates
Prisoners
Prisons
Reinforcement (Psychology)
Reinforcement Schedule
Reinforcement, Verbal
Reward
Set (Psychology)
Token Economy
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Summary:Two experiments were conducted (1) to explore the application of token reinforcement procedures in a maximum security correctional institution for adult male felons and (2) to determine to what extent the reinforcement procedures disrupted the day-to-day lives of inmate participants. In Experiment 1, an expanded reversal design revealed that the combination of praise and token reinforcement was more effective than the combinations of praise and noncontingent token award or direct commands on four common institutional activities. The latter two combinations were not found to be any more effective than praise alone. Experiment 2, which also employed a reversal design, indicated that the high levels of performance observed during the token reinforcement phases of Experiment 1 could be attained without subjecting participants to undue hardship in the form of increased deprivation of either social intercourse or the opportunity to engage in recreational and entertainment activities. Client safeguards are discussed in detail.
ISSN:0021-8855
1938-3703
DOI:10.1901/jaba.1976.9-253