Response cost is likely to suppress problem behavior to an acceptable level when there are a small number of omission and commission errors.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Depends on the learner
• D. Not enough evidence

Answer: (A)

Response cost is a negative punishment: after the problem behavior, a valued reinforcer is removed, which lowers the likelihood of that behavior happening again. When only a small number of omission and commission errors occur, the penalty can be noticeable enough to deter errors without being overwhelming. The learner still has access to reinforcement for appropriate behavior, so they can adjust and reduce errors to avoid the loss. This combination tends to bring problem behavior down to a level that is acceptable while supporting continued engagement in desired tasks. If errors were frequent, the costs could become too disruptive or lead to other problems, so the same approach might not be as effective. In these typical conditions, the outcome is a meaningful suppression of the unwanted behavior.