What type of behavior is exhibited when a person avoids a situation to prevent encountering someone?

The behavior exhibited when a person avoids a situation to prevent encountering someone is classified as avoidance behavior. This type of behavior specifically refers to actions taken to evade a situation, person, or event that an individual perceives as threatening or undesirable.

In the context of behavior analysis, avoidance can be understood as a proactive measure where the individual engages in behaviors designed to keep themselves away from potential unpleasant experiences. For example, if someone who has social anxiety decides not to attend a gathering because they fear encountering a particular person, they are engaging in avoidance behavior to protect themselves from the discomfort associated with that situation.

Understanding avoidance behavior is crucial in behavior analysis, as it can significantly affect an individual's functioning and socialization. Analyzing the reasons behind such avoidance can lead to strategies that help the individual face and cope with their fears in a more constructive way.