Functions – Motivation, Token Economy/Token Board

A token economy is a form of behavior modification designed to increase desirable behavior with the use of tokens. Individuals receive tokens immediately after displaying desirable behavior. The tokens are collected and later exchanged for a meaningful object or privilege. Tokens are tallied on a token board as they are earned so that progress toward the reward can be monitored. Token boards can take the form of tally sheets marked on paper with pencil, or tally boards filled in with erasable marker on whiteboards or laminated poster board,  or as tokens adhered to tally boards with Velcro™.  In classroom practice, the set of rules defining the expected desirable behavior are listed on the board as well as the reward for receiving a specified number of tokens.