Bshs 461 - the Token Economy

The token economy

Lucille Overton, Francisco Olivera, Tiffany Wilton

BSHS/461

November 19, 2013

Doretta Zemp

The token economy

The token economy is a method used to encourage a desirable behavior with a reward, as in the case [7] scenario found in "Management of Human Services Programs Text." The next few chapters will explain leadership models applied to the scenario, some key elements of how the supervisor's process was used with some common challenges, and factors discovered that can influence job design, hiring, training, and performance appraisals.

Leadership is a key factor in supervision, and influences human behavior as a particular goal is accomplished. In this scenario Forrest believed that the client should come first not treated like the bottom line, receive adequate care, and not micromanage the therapist. The situational leadership model would be most helpful in this setting because it make a distinction between the mission, behavior, and relationship behavior of the leader. As a new supervisor to the agency, which structure but needed to be more developed. Token economy approach would give the therapist freedom to evaluate the needs of the clients, and work with behavior modification. Forrest explained to his staff that he or she would have to commitment to using a token economy approach as a treatment modal, and clients would receive concrete, and specific reinforcements for behaviors consistent with responsible adult conduct, and introduce new ways to dealing with his or her environment, but without concrete direction it did not work as well as Forrest would have wanted, according to Hersey and Blanchard the effectiveness of leadership styles depends on the situation, and the followers readiness level, which can vary but is most important in the situation factor.

Dr. Lawrence Shulman, MSW, Ed.D dean and professor of University of Buffalo School of Social Work has developed some core dynamics, and skills of the supervisor practitioner. According to Shulman (1993) there are four phases or supervisor work, preliminary, beginning, work, endings, and transition. In case [7] the type of supervisor process used in the scenario would be preliminary process in. When Forrest hired the new staff he attempted to communicate his objectives, develop a rapport, and appear competent to those who placed him in change; however there was a need for more guidance and appropriate methods that fit the organization and task and also the people between the