What term describes the removal of preferred items or activities following a problem behavior?

The correct term for the removal of preferred items or activities following a problem behavior is often referred to as "withdrawal of materials." This practice is grounded in behavioral interventions, where access to reinforcing stimuli is taken away to decrease the likelihood of the undesirable behavior recurring in the future. By removing these preferred items or activities immediately following the behavior, the individual learns that engaging in problem behavior results in the loss of something enjoyable or desirable.

In applied behavior analysis, this approach is typically used as a form of negative reinforcement or as a component of extinction strategies. The underlying principle is that behaviors that lead to negative consequences—such as losing access to a favorite toy or activity—are less likely to be repeated. This emphasizes the importance of the connection between behavior and consequence within the framework of behavior management.

Other options, such as time-out suspension, generally involve temporarily removing the individual from a reinforcing environment without necessarily taking away specific preferred items. Behavior modification refers to a broader set of techniques aimed at changing behavior rather than specifically focusing on the removal of preferred items. Prompt hierarchy involves the systematic use of prompts to support behavior change, which does not apply to the withdrawal of materials concept.