Advisor(s)

D. Daniel Gould

Contributor(s)

Karen E. Gould, Pamela M. Olsen

Date of Award

2009

Date Accepted

8-2009

Degree Grantor

Northeastern University

Degree Level

M.S.

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department or Academic Unit

Bouvé College of Health Sciences. Department of Counseling and Applied Educational Psychology.

Keywords

behavioral, conditioned reinforcers, token economy

Subject Categories

Token economy (Psychology), Reinforcement (Psychology)

Disciplines

Psychology

Abstract

The use of tokens as conditioned reinforcers in applied settings is preferred because tokens can be easily delivered and may be traded-in for a variety of primary reinforcers. The present study compared the effectiveness of two pairing procedures in establishing tokens as conditioned reinforcers: a response-required pairing procedure and a no-response-required pairing procedure. Two individuals participated in this study. A paired-stimulus preference assessment was first conducted. Three reinforcer assessments were then conducted: a reinforcer assessment with immediate delivery of edible, a reinforcer assessment with accumulated edible, and a reinforcer assessment with unconditioned tokens. Token pairing sessions were then conducted and alternated with reinforcer assessments. Results indicate that for one participant both pairing procedures were effective in establishing tokens as conditioned reinforcers. For the second participant, both pairing procedures were eventually effective in conditioning tokens as reinforcers, with the tokens established in the response-required pairing condition maintaining higher response rates.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Rights Holder

Laura A. Dodds


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