What is one challenge of using a token economy?

A primary challenge of using a token economy involves the potential for individuals to develop a dependence on tokens as a means of reinforcement, which can overshadow the development of intrinsic motivation. In a token economy, tokens serve as a form of secondary reinforcement, meaning they are valuable because they can be exchanged for other rewards or privileges. Over time, participants may become less motivated to engage in desired behaviors for their own sake and instead may only act to earn tokens.

This reliance on an external reward system can impede the cultivation of self-motivation, which is crucial for long-term behavior change and personal growth. Ideally, the goal of behavior modification techniques like token economies should include fostering intrinsic motivation so that individuals find satisfaction and motivation in tasks regardless of external rewards. Recognizing this challenge is important for practitioners to ensure that they strategically taper the use of tokens and encourage intrinsic motivation alongside external incentives.