What does response cost refer to in behavior management?

Response cost is a concept in behavior management that involves the removal of a specific reinforcer following an undesired behavior, which aims to decrease the occurrence of that behavior. This approach operates on the principle of negative punishment, where a previously earned privilege or item is taken away as a consequence of undesirable behavior. For example, if a student loses points or privileges for not following classroom rules, this consequence aims to discourage that behavior in the future.

This technique effectively encourages individuals to adhere to expected behaviors because they recognize that negative consequences will follow inappropriate actions. In essence, response cost reduces the likelihood of an undesirable behavior reoccurring by introducing a tangible consequence that the person values, thus creating a stronger association between their behavior and the outcome.