The function of behavior that is a type of socially mediated negative reinforcement resulting in termination or removal of something the individual dislikes is called what?

The function of behavior that is a type of socially mediated negative reinforcement resulting in termination or removal of something the individual dislikes is called what?

• A. Attention
• B. Escape
• C. Tangible
• D. Automatic

Answer: (B)

Escape is a form of socially mediated negative reinforcement: the behavior is strengthened because it ends or reduces an aversive situation, with another person typically involved in delivering that relief. The key is that the consequence removes something the individual dislikes, so the behavior is more likely to happen again in similar contexts. For example, a student who stops a difficult task after a disruptive behavior is reinforced by the removal of the task. This differs from attention or tangible functions, where the consequence is social attention or access to a preferred item, and from automatic reinforcement, which comes from the sensory effects without social mediation. It also contrasts with avoidance, where the individual acts to prevent the aversive situation before it begins. The described scenario fits escape.

Escape is a form of socially mediated negative reinforcement: the behavior is strengthened because it ends or reduces an aversive situation, with another person typically involved in delivering that relief. The key is that the consequence removes something the individual dislikes, so the behavior is more likely to happen again in similar contexts. For example, a student who stops a difficult task after a disruptive behavior is reinforced by the removal of the task. This differs from attention or tangible functions, where the consequence is social attention or access to a preferred item, and from automatic reinforcement, which comes from the sensory effects without social mediation. It also contrasts with avoidance, where the individual acts to prevent the aversive situation before it begins. The described scenario fits escape.