Which term refers to stopping comments about the undesired behavior for a period to assess whether attention may have reinforced it?

• A. Backing Off
• B. Monitoring
• C. Recency error
• D. Leniency error

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is using planned ignoring, or backing off, to see if attention is reinforcing an undesired behavior. By stopping comments or reactions for a period, you remove the attention that the behavior might be getting. If the behavior decreases when attention is withheld, that suggests attention was reinforcing it. If the behavior continues despite the lack of attention, other factors may be maintaining it or the attention isn’t the primary reinforcer. This approach aligns with extinction in behavior management. The other terms don’t fit: monitoring involves continuing to observe and respond, not withholding attention; recency error is a bias about recent information; leniency error is giving too much leniency in judgments.