Which of the following is a reinforcement program designed to encourage healthier behaviors?

The reinforcement program designed to encourage healthier behaviors is contingency contracting. This approach involves creating a written agreement between a client and a therapist, outlining specific behaviors that are to be encouraged or discouraged, along with the corresponding rewards or consequences. The aim is to establish clear expectations and measurable outcomes, which can motivate individuals to engage in healthier behaviors.

By using tangible reinforcements for positive behaviors, contingency contracting enhances personal accountability and promotes commitment to behavior change, making it particularly effective in therapies aimed at modifying habits related to health, such as smoking cessation or increased physical activity. This structured format not only reinforces desired behaviors but also assists individuals in recognizing the link between their actions and the rewards, cultivating a better understanding of maintaining those behaviors in the long term.

Other options, while important in psychological treatments, do not primarily focus on reinforcement and behavior modification in the same way. For instance, behavioral activation helps individuals engage in meaningful activities to combat depression, but does not necessarily involve structured reinforcement agreements. Exposure therapy is aimed at reducing anxiety by gradually exposing a person to feared situations, and supported employment focuses on assisting individuals with disabilities in obtaining and maintaining jobs, rather than modifying behaviors through reinforcement techniques.