Question 1

Missy is using a multiple probe across participants design to evaluate the effects of peer tutoring to teach three students to complete division problems. These three students have had no prior instruction in division. Missy MOST LIKELY chose a multiple probe design rather than a multiple baseline design because.

Accepted Answer

A multiple probe design is often used when baseline data is expected to be zero or near zero, as it reduces the need for continuous baseline measurement, which is unnecessary when no prior instruction has been given.

Question 2

A teacher tells students that completing assignments will help them to do well on the exam. How can the teacher ensure that this will be an effective rule?

Accepted Answer

Providing assignments that are closely related to the material on the exam ensures that students are practicing relevant content, which directly helps them perform better on the exam.

Question 3

A client with a history of escape maintained problem behavior begins to throw the puzzle pieces a few minutes after starting to work on the task. What is the BEST programmatic change for the behavior analyst to make?

Accepted Answer

Teaching the client to request escape using an adaptive behavior is the best programmatic change as it will teach the client a more appropriate way to communicate their desire for escape. This will not only address the immediate problem behavior, but also provide the client with a skill they can use in other situations. Implementing a time-out procedure or overcorrection procedure may further increase escape maintained behavior. Increasing social praise for successful task completion is also a good idea, but only after the target behavior has been addressed.

Question 4

Which of the following is most likely an example of reinforcing consequences?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is most likely...

Question 5

A reliable measure is one that is:

Accepted Answer

A reliable measure is one that is consistent across observers and measurement occasions. While caregiver reports and peer-reviewed journal articles can provide some evidence of validity and effectiveness, they are not necessarily indicators of reliability. Practicality and accuracy are also important characteristics, but they are not sufficient on their own to establish reliability.

Question 6

A behavior analyst decides to replicate a published research project but finds that the information provided does not allow them to complete the project without more information from the author. The article violates which dimension of applied behavior analysis?

Accepted Answer

The dimension of applied behavior analysis being violated in this scenario is technological. Technological refers to the information being sufficiently detailed and accurate, allowing other researchers to replicate the same procedures and obtain similar results. Without complete information, the behavior analyst cannot complete the project, indicating a lack of technological dimension.

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a consideration when evaluating extinction as a possible intervention?

Accepted Answer

Eliminating the opportunity for the occurrence of the target behavior is not a consideration for extinction; rather, extinction involves withholding reinforcement for the target behavior, not preventing its occurrence.

Question 8

The "hero procedure" refers to a contingency in which an individual, or small group, earns a reward for a class. This procedure is an example of what type of group contingency?

Accepted Answer

In a dependent group contingency, the reward for the entire group is based on the performance of one individual or a small group, which aligns with the description of the "hero procedure."

Question 9

An approach to reducing problem behavior called __________ involves providing reinforcers on a (n) __________ schedule regardless of the occurrence of the problem behavior.

Accepted Answer

Noncontingent reinforcement involves delivering reinforcers on a fixed or variable interval schedule regardless of the individual's behavior, aiming to reduce problem behavior by providing consistent reinforcement.

Question 10

A behavior analyst responsible for the evaluation of a behavior change program has been unable to get others to collect data on the targeted behaviors. The others involved, including other service providers, are relying on personal anecdotes and questionnaires to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. The primary consumer reports satisfaction with the results so far. To evaluate the program, the behavior analyst should:

Accepted Answer

The behavior analyst should obtain data on the targeted behaviors in order to properly evaluate the effectiveness of the behavior change program. Relying on personal anecdotes and questionnaires is not a reliable or valid method for evaluating behavior change programs. The satisfaction reported by the primary consumer is also not a sufficient measure of the program's effectiveness. Without data on the targeted behaviors, the behavior analyst cannot determine if the program is actually producing behavior change or if the observed changes are due to other factors. Conducting formal interviews or checking the reliability of the questionnaire's information may provide additional information, but data on the targeted behaviors is the most critical piece of information needed for evaluation.

Question 11

Harley tells a variety of offensive and inoffensive jokes to coworkers at lunchtime who laugh at all of the jokes, telling Harley that he's funny. When Harley tells jokes at the evening meal to housemates, they complain to Harley about the offensive jokes. If the behavior analyst wants the evening meal with housemates to become an SΔ for Harley's offensive joke-telling, she should instruct Harleys'?

Accepted Answer

To make the evening meal with housemates an SΔ for Harley's offensive joke-telling, the behavior analyst should instruct Harleys' housemates to provide no attention for Harley's offensive joke-telling. This means that they should not laugh, engage, or show any positive response whatsoever when Harley tells an offensive joke. By withholding attention, Harley will not receive reinforcement for his offensive jokes during the evening meal, which can decrease the likelihood of him telling them in that context in the future. Providing attention for Harley's inoffensive joke-telling is not necessarily relevant to the targeted behavior of offensive joke-telling during the evening meal, as it may not have any bearing on whether Harley tells offensive jokes during that particular time. Additionally, instructing coworkers to provide no attention for Harley's offensive joke-telling during lunchtime may be irrelevant to the targeted context of telling offensive jokes during the evening meal with housemates.

Question 12

Which procedure is used in fading physical prompts?

Accepted Answer

Graduated guidance involves gradually fading physical prompts by reducing the amount of physical assistance provided. This is done by providing less pressure or guidance with the physical prompt over time, until it is no longer needed. Forward chaining (A) involves teaching steps of a task in sequential order and starting at the beginning of the task. Backward chaining (B) involves teaching steps of a task in reverse order and starting with the last step. Least-to-most prompting (D) involves starting with the least intrusive prompt and increasing to a more intrusive prompt if the learner is not successful.

Question 13

Teaching a receptive-identification task falls in the category of _____ instruction.

Accepted Answer

Receptive-identification tasks require the learner to listen to a verbal prompt and select the correct response from a given set of options. This falls under the category of listener instruction. Tact instruction involves labeling objects or events in the environment; mand instruction involves requesting or demanding something; intraverbal instruction involves responding to another person's statement or question.

Question 14

Behavior that can be directly observed only by the person behaving is called.

Accepted Answer

Covert behavior is behavior that can only be directly observed by the person behaving, such as thoughts and emotions. Overt behavior is behavior that can be observed by others. Operant behavior refers to behavior that is shaped by consequences, while respondent behavior refers to automatic physiological responses to stimuli, such as sweating in response to fear.

Question 15

A behavioral assessment indicates that the problem behavior of a young woman is maintained by others bringing things to her or taking things away following occurrence of the behavior. Since the behavior results in physical injury, the decision to decrease its occurrence has been made. Which is the BEST general approach?

Accepted Answer

The best approach is to use protective equipment to prevent injury and establish a replacement behavior that allows the woman to obtain or avoid things in a more appropriate way. This addresses the function of the behavior while ensuring safety.

Question 16

Clifford's lawn work is steady and up to standard as long as his work is verbally praised approximately every twelfth completed mower circuit. However, at times the crew chief is unable to praise his work at that moment. When praise is not forthcoming, Clifford usually stops working. The best way to facilitate maintenance and generalization of Clifford's work, using a self-management technique, would be to:

Accepted Answer

Teaching Clifford how to request reinforcement empowers him to seek feedback independently, promoting self-management and ensuring consistent motivation even when the crew chief is unavailable.

Question 17

The behavior analyst reviews Sandra's data and concludes that her behavior is spontaneous; that is, it occurs randomly, and not as a result of any other event(s). Which of the assumptions underlying behavior analysis has been violated in this interpretation?

Accepted Answer

The assumption of determinism has been violated. Determinism refers to the belief that behavior is not spontaneous or random, but rather is shaped by environmental events and conditions. The behavior analyst's conclusion contradicts this assumption by suggesting that Sandra's behavior is not a result of any other event(s).

Question 18

Marvell is working on a new case with a student who refuses to attend school. Before deciding on a treatment plan, Marvell schedules interviews and observation sessions. This is an example of which assumption of behavior analysis?

Accepted Answer

This scenario illustrates the assumption of empiricism, which involves gathering data through observation and experimentation before making decisions or conclusions about behavior. Marvell's scheduling of interviews and observation sessions indicates a commitment to using empirical evidence to inform treatment planning.

Question 19

Andrea has limited speech abilities. She has been attending speech therapy and is required to perform speech exercises at home. Other than her training sessions, Andrea chooses to remain essentially non-verbal. One evening, Andrea's sister called to invite Andrea on an outing. Andrea listened to her sister's invitation over the phone and nodded in excitement. Andrea's mother pointed out that her sister could not see her through the phone and that Andrea would need to speak so that her sister would know if she wanted to go. Andrea then said, "Yes, I want." This is a form of.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of incidental teaching, where Andrea's mother used a natural opportunity to prompt Andrea to use her speech abilities in response to her sister's invitation. Incidental teaching involves using everyday situations and activities to teach and reinforce specific skills or behaviors.

Question 20

A behavior analyst is working with an adult client, who is deemed competent. There are multiple potential behavior targets that need to be addressed including smoking cigarettes, nail biting, and compulsive hand washing. As a first goal, the behavior analyst wants the client to focus on eliminating smoking but the client would prefer to focus on nail biting. The behavior analyst should.

Accepted Answer

As the client is competent, their preference should be taken into consideration. Developing a self-management plan for nail biting as the first goal is appropriate, and smoking can still be addressed as a secondary goal. It is important to prioritize the client's preferences and autonomy in goal setting.

Exam 1: Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst