Which type of reinforcement involves behavior maintained by sensory mechanisms?

Automatic reinforcement refers to a process where behaviors are maintained because they produce a reinforcing outcome that does not require social interaction or external mediation. This type of reinforcement is driven by the sensory experiences that occur as a direct result of the behavior itself. For instance, a child might engage in hand-flapping because it feels good to them, providing sensory stimulation that reinforces the behavior without needing any outside approval or interaction.

In contrast, social reinforcement involves reinforcement that comes from others, such as praise or attention. External reinforcement is typically related to material rewards or consequences from the environment and often requires the presence of another individual or a tangible item. Internal reinforcement usually refers to self-generated reinforcement, which could include feelings of satisfaction or relief but may not be strictly driven by sensory experiences.

Thus, the clear distinction of automatic reinforcement lies in its intrinsic quality—its effectiveness relies solely on the direct sensory feedback associated with the behavior, making it the most fitting answer for this question.