Steve Has a Rather Strong Fear of Social Situations

Multiple Choice

Steve has a rather strong fear of social situations. He used to try to go to parties and other social events, but his anxiety would usually overwhelm him. When experiencing these negative emotions, he would often leave parties early, a behaviour that allowed him to reduce or eliminate his anxiety. According to the principles of operant conditioning, Steve's escape behaviour will be more likely to occur in the future because it is being ___________.

A) positively reinforced
B) negatively reinforced
C) aversively punished
D) response-cost punished