Note on Combined and Separate Effects of Token Reinforcement and Response Cost on Completing Assignments

Abstract

In early token economy programs (e.g., Ayllon & Azrin, 1968), accepmble behavior was reinforced while inappropriate behavior was ignored. Recently, researchers have implemented token programs which awarded tokens for appropriate behavior and removed them (response cost) for undesirable behavior (McLaughlin & Malaby, 1972; Phillips, Phillips, Fixsen, & Wolf, 1971). The purpose of this srudy was to determine the effects of using a combination of token reinforcement and response cost procedures, as well as each procedure alone. An entire fifthand sixth-grade class served as Ss. The percentage of the class who completed assignments in handwriting was recorded for an entire school year (104 assignments). If a pupil made up his work he was awarded the points he had lost. The effects of employing both token reinforcement (awarding 1 to 7 points for completed work) and response cost (removing 49 points for incomplete assignments) were examined three different times (assignments 1 to 45, 63 to 78, 88 to 104). On only three handwriting assignments was incompleted work recorded. When points were not awarded for completed work but could be lost for incomplete assignments, the percentage of the class who completed their work decreased on 12 of the 17 assignments (range 93 to 100%). When points were awarded for completed work and not lost for incomplete handwriting assignments, the percent of the class that completed their work decreased on 8 of the 9 assignments (range 88 to 100% ) . The data showed that a combination of token reinforcement and response cost was more effective than either procedure alone. The results of this report also confirm the work of Phillips, et al. ( 1971, Exp. N ) , which indicated response cost plus token reinforcement increased the number of correct responses made on a written quiz after a TV news program by pre-delinquent youths than did either procedure alone. None of the adverse side effect.. sometimes associated with response cost procedures, such as escape and failure of the behavior to recover, were observed.