Which function involves the removal or avoidance of an aversive situation as a consequence of the behavior?

Which function involves the removal or avoidance of an aversive situation as a consequence of the behavior?

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

Answer: (B)

Escape is the function where a behavior removes or avoids an aversive situation. This is a form of negative reinforcement: the unpleasant condition is eliminated or dodged as a consequence of the behavior, so that behavior is more likely to occur again when the situation arises. For example, if a student stops a difficult task by asking to leave the room, the act of leaving ends the aversive demand, reinforcing the departure behavior. Automatic refers to sensory outcomes produced by the behavior itself, not removing something aversive; attention is about gaining social interaction or notice from others; tangible involves access to a preferred item or activity.

Escape is the function where a behavior removes or avoids an aversive situation. This is a form of negative reinforcement: the unpleasant condition is eliminated or dodged as a consequence of the behavior, so that behavior is more likely to occur again when the situation arises. For example, if a student stops a difficult task by asking to leave the room, the act of leaving ends the aversive demand, reinforcing the departure behavior. Automatic refers to sensory outcomes produced by the behavior itself, not removing something aversive; attention is about gaining social interaction or notice from others; tangible involves access to a preferred item or activity.