Vibha's homework used to be very untidy and that too if she would submit it at all. Her teacher told her, "If you submit neat work on time, I will give you a star sticker in your copy. After you have collected 5 stars, I will give you a Chocolate Bar".
Name the technique used by the teacher :
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Token Economy
Option (1) Modelling — Incorrect. In modelling the client learns a behaviour by observing a role model, often the therapist, and small changes towards the model’s behaviour are rewarded. The teacher shows Vibha no one to copy.
Option (2) Cognitive Sensitisation — Incorrect. There is no such technique; the teacher’s plan does not try to change Vibha’s thinking but rewards her behaviour.
Option (3) Token Economy — Correct. A person with behavioural problems 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. Each star sticker for neat work on time is a token, and five stars are exchanged for a chocolate bar.
Option (4) Negative Reinforcement — Incorrect. Negative reinforcement comes from responses that get rid of painful stimuli or help one avoid and escape from them, as one learns to put on woollen clothes to avoid the unpleasant cold. The teacher offers pleasant rewards; nothing unpleasant is taken away.
NCERT (2025-26): “Behaviour Therapy … Negative reinforcement and aversive conditioning are the two major techniques of behaviour modification. As you have already studied in Class XI, responses that lead organisms to get rid of painful stimuli or avoid and escape from them provide negative reinforcement. For example, one learns to put on woollen clothes, burn firewood or use electric heaters to avoid the unpleasant cold weather. One learns to move away from dangerous stimuli because they provide negative reinforcement. Aversive conditioning refers to repeated association of undesired response with an aversive consequence. For example, an alcoholic is given a mild electric shock and asked to smell the alcohol. With repeated pairings the smell of alcohol is aversive as the pain of the shock is associated with it and the person will give up alcohol. If an adaptive behaviour occurs rarely, positive reinforcement is given to increase the deficit. For example, if a child does not do homework regularly, positive reinforcement may be used by the child’s mother by preparing the child’s favourite dish whenever s/he does homework at the appointed time. The positive reinforcement of food will increase the behaviour of doing homework at the appointed time. 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.” “…Modelling is the procedure wherein the client learns to behave in a certain way by observing the behaviour of a role model or the therapist who initially acts as the role model. Vicarious learning, i.e. learning by observing others, is used and through a process of rewarding small changes in the behaviour, the client gradually learns to acquire the behaviour of the model.…” |