Operant conditioning of activities of daily living on a psychogeriatric ward: a simple method

Abstract

On a psychogeriatric ward a simple token economy was established by handing out coffee and cigarette tickets for demands of concrete Activities of Daily Living from 14 men and 16 women. During the treatment period the number of target behaviors increased dramatically and many positive spin-off effects were observed. It was concluded that simple token economies of even 18 weeks can easily be introduced and administered and produce decisive positive changes with respect to psychogeriatric patients' activities of daily living, staff attitudes, and ward atmosphere.