Which function corresponds to gaining access to tangibles?

Which function corresponds to gaining access to tangibles?

• A. Attention
• B. Escape
• C. Automatic reinforcement
• D. Access to tangibles

Answer: (D)

Access to tangibles means the behavior is reinforced by obtaining a tangible item or time with a preferred activity. When the consequence of a response is that the person gets the item they want, that response is more likely to occur again in situations where the item is available or expected. This is different from gaining attention (reinforced by social praise or contact), escaping or avoiding demands (reinforced by relief from demands), or automatic reinforcement (the reinforcement comes from sensory aspects of the behavior itself, not from an external object). Recognizing this function helps guide strategies like teaching the person to request the item appropriately and providing controlled, contingent access to the item to reduce problem behavior.

Access to tangibles means the behavior is reinforced by obtaining a tangible item or time with a preferred activity. When the consequence of a response is that the person gets the item they want, that response is more likely to occur again in situations where the item is available or expected. This is different from gaining attention (reinforced by social praise or contact), escaping or avoiding demands (reinforced by relief from demands), or automatic reinforcement (the reinforcement comes from sensory aspects of the behavior itself, not from an external object). Recognizing this function helps guide strategies like teaching the person to request the item appropriately and providing controlled, contingent access to the item to reduce problem behavior.