Response to Ahrendt, Houlihan, and Buchanan

Abstract

This paper reports some puzzling results from a token economy in an inpatient behavioral treatment facility. A seemingly insignificant change from poker chip tokens to sticker tokens produced substantial increases in problem behavior—as measured by frequency of time-outs for problem behavior. The results are puzzling because it is generally assumed that qualitative aspects of the tokens—such as whether or not they are handled—should not matter. What should matter is simply the correlation between tokens and other reinforcers for which they are exchanged. Indeed, the successful use of check marks, stickers, and stars in scores of token systems over the years shows pretty clearly that stickers and other nonhandled tokens are up to the job.