In a residential treatment facility for troubled youth, adolescent children receive large colored buttons when they hang up their clothes, make their beds, and come to meals on time. the children return the buttons to staff members in order to receive bedtime snacks or watch tv. this best illustrates an application of?

operant conditioning

Explanation:

Based on the information provided within the question it can be said that this best illustrates an application of operant conditioning. This term refers to a method of learning in which actions/behaviors are associated with rewards or punishments. In this scenario when a resident conducts a desired behavior they are rewarded with a token which they can then trade for various other rewards.

answer; primary source information;