Operant Behaviour Modification Techniques Applied to a Ward of Severely Regressed and Aggressive Patients

Abstract

Behaviour modification techniques featuring token-economy procedures were used successfully to treat a ward of severely regressed and aggressive female psychotic patients. In case history fashion, this paper has reported on the character of the population treated, the nature of the procedures employed, and a set of outcome measures. The outcome measures reported fall into three classes: 1) target behaviours associated with meal- and bed-time, 2) standardized measures of adjustment and, 3) success rater after a two-year follow up. In the light of the original level of pathology and difficulty in management of these patients and the shortage of personnel to care for them, it has been concluded that these behaviour modification procedures are a most promising therapeutic agent.