Which response should be most strongly reinforced?

The most appropriate choice is a correct response completed independently. This option emphasizes the importance of fostering autonomy and self-sufficiency in individuals. When a person correctly completes a task on their own without assistance or prompts, it demonstrates a clear understanding of the material and an ability to apply skills independently. Reinforcing this behavior strengthens the individual's confidence and encourages further independent problem-solving.

Reinforcing responses completed with assistance or that require prompting, while valuable for skill acquisition and support, does not promote the same level of independence. Reinforcing any response regardless of correctness could lead to confusion about what behaviors are desirable and may encourage the repetition of incorrect responses, thus impeding skill development and mastery. Focusing on independent, correct responses ensures that the individual is encouraged to think critically and engage actively with the task at hand. This approach aligns with best practices in behavior analysis, which promote skill generalization and independence.