In school, at times, you get good points (or gold points or stars). At the end of the session, you are awarded a coupon which can be exchanged for food items. This is an example of _____.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Token economy
Option (1) Aversive conditioning — Incorrect. Aversive conditioning is the repeated association of an undesired response with an aversive consequence, such as a mild electric shock paired with the smell of alcohol for an alcoholic. It removes a behaviour; the school rewards one.
Option (2) Modelling — Incorrect. In modelling the client learns to behave in a certain way by observing the behaviour of a role model, often the therapist. No one is being copied here.
Option (3) Systematic desensitisation — Incorrect. Systematic desensitisation treats phobias or irrational fears: the relaxed client imagines anxiety-provoking situations step by step, from the least to the most frightening. It has nothing to do with points or coupons.
Option (4) Token economy — Correct. A person is given a token as a reward every time a wanted behaviour occurs; the tokens are collected and exchanged for a reward, such as an outing or a treat. The good points or stars are the tokens, and the coupon exchanged for food items is the reward.
NCERT (2025-26): “Behavioural Techniques … Persons with behavioural problems can be given a token as a reward every time a wanted behaviour occurs. The tokens are collected and exchanged for a reward such as an outing for the patient or a treat for the child. This is known as token economy.” |