Which situation would most likely be addressed with a token economy?

Token economies are behavior modification systems that utilize tangible rewards or tokens to reinforce desired behaviors. They are particularly effective in managing and modifying behaviors through positive reinforcement, making them especially suitable for children and individuals with behavior-related challenges.

In the case of a child exhibiting frequent tantrums, a token economy can be implemented to encourage more appropriate emotional expressions and behaviors. For instance, a child might earn tokens for remaining calm in frustrating situations or for using words to express their feelings instead of resorting to tantrums. These tokens can later be exchanged for a preferred activity or item, motivating the child to engage in more positive behaviors.

Other situations listed, such as time management struggles, depression, or chronic social anxiety, generally require more comprehensive therapeutic interventions rather than a simple reinforcement system. They might benefit from cognitive-behavioral strategies, counseling, or emotional support rather than the structured behavior modification approaches used in a token economy.