Which term best fits a system rewarding compliance and punishing noncompliance?

• A. Token Economy
• B. Charities
• C. Recidivism
• D. Civil Liberties

Answer: (A)

Shaping behavior through reinforcement and penalties is what this item is about. A system that rewards compliance and punishes noncompliance fits a token economy. In a token economy, people earn tokens for displaying desirable behaviors or following rules, and these tokens can be exchanged for rewards or privileges. If they don’t comply, they can lose tokens or have privileges withdrawn, creating a consequence that discourages rule-breaking. This approach is a practical use of operant conditioning, commonly seen in settings like prisons or schools to encourage consistent, pro-social behavior. The other options don’t describe a behavioral reinforcement system: charities are aid organizations, recidivism is the tendency to reoffend, and civil liberties are fundamental rights.