Ethan, who is in the third grade, has not been doing his homework. The counselor at school suggests that his parents institute a token economy where Ethan receives a poker chip each time he completes his homework, and every time he accumulates 5 chips and turns them in to his parents, they buy him a comic book. In this case, what is considered the backup reinforcer?
a. the comic book
b. the poker chip
c. the parents' praise
d. the homework
Question 2
Which of the following rules for patients in an inpatient psychiatric facility best illustrates the proper application of a token economy?
a. If you make your bed in the morning, you can watch TV for an extra 15 minutes that night.
b. If you make your bed in the morning, you immediately receive a red poker chip that can be exchanged for 15 extra minutes of TV.
c. If you are a good patient in the morning, you can watch TV for an extra 15 minutes that night.
d. If you are a good patient in the morning, you immediately receive a red poker chip.