What psychological mechanism is demonstrated when Katherine's mother gives in to avoid a tantrum?

The correct choice addresses the concept of reinforcement, which is a fundamental principle in behavioral psychology. When Katherine's mother gives in to her demands to avoid a tantrum, she is inadvertently reinforcing the behavior that is linked to the tantrum. This means that by yielding to Katherine's demands, the mother is teaching her that throwing a tantrum is a successful strategy to get what she wants. Over time, this can strengthen or increase the likelihood of similar behavior occurring in the future, as the child learns that tantrums yield desired outcomes.

Reinforcement can come in various forms, such as positive reinforcement (providing a reward) or negative reinforcement (removing something unpleasant). In this case, the mother’s action of giving in can be seen as a way to remove the unpleasantness of a tantrum, thus reinforcing Katherine's future tantruming behavior.

Understanding this mechanism is important for therapists, as it allows them to recognize how certain parental behaviors can instigate or maintain problematic behaviors in children. This insight can lead to more effective strategies for addressing and changing such behaviors.