What technique involves physically stopping a student from completing a behavior?

The technique that involves physically stopping a student from completing a behavior is known as response blocking. This method is often used in behavioral interventions to prevent a student from engaging in an undesired behavior by interrupting the behavior before it can occur or while it is in progress. Response blocking is particularly effective in scenarios where the behavior can lead to harmful consequences or where it is necessary to maintain a safe and conducive learning environment.

This technique can help in teaching appropriate replacement behaviors by providing an immediate and visible intervention, helping the student to gain a clearer understanding of expectations and limits. It requires careful implementation to ensure that it is done safely and respectfully, as the goal is to help the student learn while minimizing any potential distress or alarm.

In contrast, other options like the distraction technique rely on diverting a student's attention away from the behavior rather than physically intervening. Positive reinforcement focuses on encouraging desired behaviors through rewards rather than stopping unwanted behaviors. The time-out procedure involves removing a student from a situation for a designated time as a form of consequence, rather than directly intervening to block a behavior. Thus, response blocking stands out as the approach that directly prevents the behavior from occurring by physical means.