Group Fines: Technique for Behavioral Control in a Token Economy
Group fines were used to control the alcohol-related misbehavior of skid row alcoholics living and working in a hospital token-economy ward. When only the individual was fined there was a high incidence of unauthorized drinking and elopement. Institution of group fines wherein the offender was fined and an equivalent fine was levied against all other Ss led to a decrease in serious offenses to one-fifth of the previous incidence. Group fines appeared to be an effective method of mobilizing social pressure for this population.