This is 4-year-old Emma. She loves to play with her toys, but she refuses to clean them up when
she is asked. Her parents have tried hard to teach her to clean her room. They have offered
her rewards. They also have put her in time out when she would not listen but nothing has
worked. Instead of cleaning, Emma gets mad and throws a big tantrum. She cries and
screams. She sometimes even throws her toys and makes a bigger mess. She does this until her
parents decide to pick her up and to clean up for her. You are a behavior analyst who will
help Emma’s parents get a handle on this behavior while she is still a little girl.

1. What specific behaviors do Emma’s parents want to encourage or discourage? Clearly define the target behaviors that need to be addressed.
2. What have been the consequences of Emma’s behavior so far? Assess how Emma’s tantrums have been inadvertently reinforced by her parents’ responses.
3. What are Emma’s current reinforcers for playing with her toys? Identify what makes playing so enjoyable for Emma and how this can be leveraged.