If a client finds obtaining reinforcement to be too difficult, what is a likely outcome?

When a client finds obtaining reinforcement to be too difficult, it is likely that the desired response may not be demonstrated. This outcome arises from the principle that reinforcement is a key factor in promoting and maintaining behavior. If a client perceives that the effort to achieve reinforcement is too challenging or unattainable, their motivation to perform the behavior that leads to that reinforcement can diminish.

Without the reinforcement, the client is less likely to engage in the desired behavior consistently, as the connection between the behavior and the reward becomes weak or non-existent. Thus, the absence of effective reinforcement can result in the client not demonstrating the desired response at all since they may not see a clear benefit or pathway to achieving the reinforcement they seek.

In contrast, the other options suggest either increased attempts or enhanced motivation, which are less likely if the client feels overwhelmed by the process of obtaining reinforcement. The scenario points to the importance of accessibility and attainability of reinforcement in learning contexts.