The scenario provided presents a classic example of behavior maintained by social positive reinforcement specifically attention We can analyze this using the ABC AntecedentBehaviorConsequence model Antecedent Mother enters the room Behavior Talking loudly standing throwing a pencil Consequence Mother acknowledges the client makes eye contact speaks The key indicator here is that the disruptive behaviors reliably cease immediately after the mother provides some form of acknowledgment which serves as a reinforcing consequence The clients behavior is likely strengthened and continues to occur in the presence of the mother because it consistently produces attention from her Lets consider why other options are less likely Escape from task demands The client is generally wellbehaved during homework before the mother enters suggesting the task itself is not the primary aversive stimulus The behavior starts when the mother enters not directly in response to task difficulty or presentation Access to tangible items There is no mention of the client gaining access to preferred items or activities as a result of the disruptive behavior Automatic reinforcement Automatic reinforcement refers to behaviors that produce their own reinforcement without the involvement of another person eg sensory stimulation In this scenario the behavior is clearly influenced by a social consequence the mothers response ruling out automatic reinforcement as the primary function