Response Maintenance occurs when a learner continues to engage in a target behavior even after part or all of the intervention that was used to teach or support the behavior has been reduced or removed. The behavior is maintained over time without the need for continuous intervention.
Example
A student was taught to raise their hand before speaking in class through a reinforcement system where they earned tokens for raising their hand. After the token system was gradually phased out, the student continues to raise their hand to speak, even though the reinforcement is no longer provided. This continuation of the desired behavior demonstrates response maintenance.