When implementing response cost, the practitioner notes the individual's engagement in problem behavior each time while removing the relevant amount of the reinforcer. This may reinforce the behavior with attention.

• A. Remove the relevant amount of the reinforcer.
• B. Punish the behavior.
• C. Reinforce the behavior with attention.
• D. Ignore the behavior entirely.

Answer: (C)

The important idea is that attention can function as a reinforcer. In response cost, you reduce the value of a preferred item or activity after the problem behavior to weaken it. But if, every time the behavior occurs, you note it or respond in some way that draws the person’s attention, that attention itself becomes a consequence of the behavior. For individuals who are motivated by social attention, this can reinforce the problem behavior even as you’re taking away the tangible reinforcer.

So, while the goal of response cost is to reduce behavior by removing a reinforcer, the act of observing and commenting on the behavior can unintentionally provide attention, which may strengthen the behavior. To avoid this, deliver the response cost with minimal or neutral attention to the behavior and pair it with clear, contingent reinforcement for appropriate alternative behaviors, or use design adjustments that prevent attention from maintaining the problem behavior.