In behavior modification, a 'response cost' is described as what?

In behavior modification, a 'response cost' is described as what?

• A. A penalty (loss of reward) after an impulsive action to reduce its future occurrence.
• B. A reward given for inhibiting a response.
• C. A time-out from activities.
• D. A verbal reminder to stop.

Answer: (A)

Response cost is a negative punishment that works by taking away a reinforcing consequence after an undesired action, with the aim of reducing that action in the future. The learner loses something they have earned or access to a reward as a consequence of the impulsive behavior, making the behavior less likely to occur again. For example, removing a token or privilege after breaking a rule sends the message that the action costs something valuable, which discourages repetition. This is different from a time-out, which withdraws a person from an environment or activities for a short period, and from rewarding the behavior or giving a verbal reminder, which are not losses of a specific reinforcer.

Response cost is a negative punishment that works by taking away a reinforcing consequence after an undesired action, with the aim of reducing that action in the future. The learner loses something they have earned or access to a reward as a consequence of the impulsive behavior, making the behavior less likely to occur again. For example, removing a token or privilege after breaking a rule sends the message that the action costs something valuable, which discourages repetition.

This is different from a time-out, which withdraws a person from an environment or activities for a short period, and from rewarding the behavior or giving a verbal reminder, which are not losses of a specific reinforcer.