The token economy in day hospital settings: Contingency management or information feedback

The token economy was evaluated as a contingency management system with chronic psychiatric patients in a day hospital setting. The hospital population was considered an N of 1, and the results were evaluated in a single case experimental design. Patients' performance in the token economy remained essentially the same whether the contingencies were in effect or not. A self-report questionnaire administered in phase 3 indicated that most patients viewed points earned as indicating how well they were doing in the program as opposed to allowing them to purchase various rewards. The token economy as a feedback system in a day hospital was discussed.