Which procedure entails withholding attention following problem behavior?

The correct answer is attention extinction, which is a procedure that involves withholding attention following problem behavior. The primary purpose of attention extinction is to reduce or eliminate behaviors that are maintained by the delivery of attention. When an individual exhibits a problematic behavior to gain attention, removing that attention consistently when the behavior occurs can weaken the association between the behavior and the reinforcement received from attention. Over time, this can lead to a decrease in the frequency of the behavior since the individual learns that the problematic behavior does not result in the desired outcome of receiving attention.

In the context of behavioral interventions, attention extinction is often used for behaviors such as tantrums or attention-seeking actions. By not responding to these behaviors, practitioners aim to teach the individual that such actions will not yield the desired attention, thus encouraging the individual to find more appropriate ways to gain attention or communicate their needs.