response effort
The amount of physical or cognitive energy required to perform a particular behavior.
Full Definition
Response effort refers to the amount of energy, time, or complexity involved in emitting a behavior, which significantly influences the likelihood that the behavior will occur. Behaviors requiring less effort are generally more probable than those requiring greater effort, all other factors being equal. This principle is fundamental to understanding behavior selection and is often manipulated in interventions by making appropriate behaviors easier to perform and inappropriate behaviors more effortful. Response effort considerations are particularly important when designing alternative behaviors for individuals with disabilities or when implementing differential reinforcement procedures.
Usage
Usage note: Consider both physical and cognitive effort when documenting interventions.
In Context
- "The intervention reduced response effort for appropriate communication by providing a voice-output device." — Intervention description
- "High response effort for the replacement behavior may explain why the maladaptive behavior persisted." — Case consultation notes