Which procedure involves terminating access to the specific reinforcer for a set period contingent on problem behavior?

• A. Terminate Specific Reinforcer Contact
• B. Extinction
• C. Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior
• D. Punishment

Answer: (A)

Terminating access to a specific reinforcer for a set period after the problem behavior is a time-out from reinforcement, a form of negative punishment. By removing the chance to obtain that particular reinforcer for a defined duration, the consequence makes the problem behavior less likely to occur again. This differs from extinction, which simply withholds reinforcement for the target behavior, not necessarily by tying the withdrawal to a specific reinforcer for a fixed time. It also differs from differential reinforcement, which uses reinforcement for other behaviors rather than removing access to the reinforcer. While punishment is the broader category, the precise procedure described is the temporary loss of access to that reinforcer following the behavior.