In the IWATA study, which condition involves isolating the subject with no social interaction?

• A. Social Disapproval
• B. Structured Play
• C. Academic Demand
• D. Alone

Answer: (D)

In a functional analysis, one condition is specifically designed to test for automatic (intrinsic) reinforcement by removing all social consequences. This is the Alone condition, where the subject is left alone with no social interaction, no demands, and no programmed outcomes. If the problematic behavior occurs at a meaningful rate even when no one is present to provide attention, escape, or tangibles, that points to the behavior being maintained by automatic reinforcement rather than by social factors. That’s why this condition best isolates automatic reinforcement, making it the correct choice. The other setups involve some form of social interaction or contingent reinforcement (attention, escapes from demands, or access to tangibles), so they do not isolate automatic reinforcement in the same way.