Rocky is a patient in a psychiatric hospital who throws furniture on the hospital ward. The staff psychologist successfully suppresses this behavior with punishment. However, Rocky subsequently begins throwing trays. What phenomenon has occurred?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Response substitution occurs when the original unwanted behavior (throwing furniture) is suppressed through punishment, and the individual replaces it with a different, but related, behavior (throwing trays). This indicates that the underlying issue causing the behavior was not addressed, leading to the emergence of a new, but similar, behavior.

Rocky Is a Patient in a Psychiatric Hospital Who Throws