In Parent-Directed Interaction (PDI), what is taught to parents as the primary approach to managing behavior?

In Parent-Directed Interaction (PDI), what is taught to parents as the primary approach to managing behavior?

• A. Give clear commands, provide consistent reinforcement, and use time out for noncompliance
• B. Ignore misbehavior
• C. Reward all behaviors equally
• D. Avoid using time-out

Answer: (A)

PDI focuses on establishing parental authority through clear directives and predictable consequences. Parents are taught to issue unambiguous commands, follow through consistently, and use time-out as the standard consequence for noncompliance. This combination creates a structured environment where the child learns what is expected and understands exactly what will happen if they don’t comply. Positive reinforcement is used for compliant behavior, while noncompliance leads to a brief, nonpunitive time-out, which reduces attention to problem behavior and increases the likelihood of future cooperation. Why this approach fits best: it builds consistency and predictability, which are essential for improving child compliance. Ignoring misbehavior fails to teach boundaries, rewarding all behaviors equally does not differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate actions, and avoiding time-out removes a key tool for signaling to the child that noncompliance has real consequences.

PDI focuses on establishing parental authority through clear directives and predictable consequences. Parents are taught to issue unambiguous commands, follow through consistently, and use time-out as the standard consequence for noncompliance. This combination creates a structured environment where the child learns what is expected and understands exactly what will happen if they don’t comply. Positive reinforcement is used for compliant behavior, while noncompliance leads to a brief, nonpunitive time-out, which reduces attention to problem behavior and increases the likelihood of future cooperation.

Why this approach fits best: it builds consistency and predictability, which are essential for improving child compliance. Ignoring misbehavior fails to teach boundaries, rewarding all behaviors equally does not differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate actions, and avoiding time-out removes a key tool for signaling to the child that noncompliance has real consequences.