What best describes a token economy?

A token economy is best described as a system that utilizes tokens as secondary reinforcers, which can be exchanged for other reinforcers. In this framework, tokens serve as a form of currency that individuals can earn by demonstrating desired behaviors. These tokens have no intrinsic value on their own but can be traded in for meaningful rewards, such as privileges, treats, or activities that are more valued by the participants.

This approach is effective because it encourages positive behavior over time. By accumulating tokens, individuals are motivated to repeat the behaviors that earn them these tokens, thus reinforcing those behaviors in a structured way. The delayed reinforcement provided by the exchange process helps to shape behavior more sustainably than immediate rewards might, as individuals learn to associate token acquisition with their positive actions.

In contrast to the other options, which either limit the types of reinforcers used or suggest immediate gratification without a structured system, the token economy uniquely balances immediate feedback—earning tokens—with a delayed reward system, thus fostering an environment where behaviors can be reinforced over time and across various contexts.