Autism Partnership Foundation Practice Exam

In the context of functional analysis, the scenario where a learner receives high fives for displaying aberrant behavior typically suggests that the behavior is being reinforced through social attention. The attention condition is designed to ascertain whether the aberrant behavior is maintained by the acquisition of social interaction, attention, or approval from others.

When a learner engages in certain behaviors and subsequently receives high fives, this attention serves as a positive reinforcement, encouraging the continuation of those behaviors. In contrast, other conditions within a functional analysis framework focus on different forms of reinforcement, such as escape from demands, access to tangible items, or responses when alone. The attention condition specifically highlights the role that social feedback plays in influencing behavior, demonstrating how positive interactions can reinforce certain actions.