Which function is characterized by a behavior that is maintained by access to a preferred item or activity following the behavior?

• A. Access Function
• B. Escape Function
• C. Attention Function
• D. Automatic Reinforcement

Answer: (A)

Access to a preferred item or activity after the behavior reinforces that behavior. When performing the behavior leads to getting something desirable, the person learns that the action will bring a reward, so the behavior is more likely to occur again in the future. The other options involve different consequences: escape would be about avoiding demands, attention would be about gaining social attention, and automatic reinforcement would come from the individual's own sensory experience rather than obtaining a tangible item.