Towanda is engaging in challenging behaviors,such as tantrumming and throwing objects.A behavior analyst conducts a functional behavior analysis and notices Towanda is most likely to display these behaviors when she's asked to engage in a difficult and undesirable task.Which of the following is likely true?
A) Towanda's challenging behaviors were likely maintained by positive social reinforcement.
B) Towanda's challenging behaviors were likely maintained by negative reinforcement.
C) Towanda's challenging behaviors were likely automatically reinforced.
D) Towanda's challenging behaviors were likely maintained by positive punishment.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Towanda's challenging behaviors are most likely maintained by negative reinforcement because they occur when she is asked to engage in a difficult and undesirable task. This suggests that the behaviors are being used to escape or avoid that task. Negative reinforcement occurs when a behavior is strengthened by the removal or avoidance of an aversive stimulus (in this case, the difficult and undesirable task).

Towanda Is Engaging in Challenging Behaviors,such as Tantrumming and Throwing