Final answer:
Behavior therapy most commonly uses token economies to modify and reinforce desirable behavior in individuals. These systems have proven successful in educational, prison, and mental health settings, effectively shaping behavior by providing tangible rewards for appropriate actions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of therapy most likely to use a token economy is behavior therapy, specifically within the realm of behavior modification programs. A token economy is a system where tokens, which are forms of secondary reinforcers, can be earned for displaying appropriate behaviors and later traded in for desirable rewards or privileges. This approach has found effective application in settings such as schools, prisons, and mental health facilities, aiming to shape desirable behavior through reinforcement. The study by Dickerson et al. (2005) suggests the effectiveness of token economies in managing schizophrenia, indicating its therapeutic potential in clinical settings.
In educational settings, such as the study by Adibsereshki and Abkenar (2014), the implementation of a token economy was shown to improve social behavior among eighth-grade students. In instances with younger learners, tokens like "quiet hands" are awarded for appropriate behaviors and can be exchanged for playtime, helping to reduce disruptive actions such as hitting or pinching. The clear structure and immediate feedback provided by token economies contribute to their success in modifying behavior across various age groups and developmental levels.