Question 1

By definition, a data recording system is valid if it:

Accepted Answer

The definition provided for a valid data recording system is that it "measures what it is supposed to." Therefore, the best choice is D. While the other choices (A, B, and C) may also be desirable traits in a data recording system, they are not necessarily part of the definition of a valid system.

Question 2

The teachers have identified bullying as a problem behavior for a particular student. What should the behavior analyst do next?

Accepted Answer

The behavior analyst should first develop an operational definition of the behavior to ensure that it is clearly understood and can be consistently measured before proceeding with further analysis or intervention.

Question 3

A behavior analyst is investigating fixed ratio schedules of praise delivery to determine which is most effective for changing the rate of question-asking by a 10-year-old child. This is an example of.

Accepted Answer

This scenario describes an applied analysis of behavior, as a behavior analyst is conducting research to determine the most effective schedule of praise delivery for changing the child's behavior. An experimental social program would involve implementing an intervention in a social setting with multiple participants, whereas a social learning program would focus on teaching social skills. Stimulus control programs involve manipulating the environment to increase or decrease the occurrence of specific behaviors.

Question 4

Interventions designed to weaken a behavior should include.

Accepted Answer

The most effective way to weaken a behavior is to reinforce an alternative behavior that serves the same function as the behavior being weakened. This is called differential reinforcement of an alternative behavior (DRA). Option A (intermittent punishment) may decrease the behavior temporarily, but it can also have negative side effects, such as increased aggression or avoidance behavior. Option B (negative reinforcement of the behavior to be weakened) would actually strengthen the behavior being targeted. Option C (positive reinforcement of all behaviors other than the behavior to be weakened) may lead to the development of new, unwanted behaviors. Therefore, DRA is the best intervention for weakening a behavior.

Question 5

If B is behavior, R is reinforcement, and 1 and 2 are the alternatives of a concurrent schedule, then would imply that the:

Accepted Answer

According to the matching law, the proportion of responses across two alternatives will match the proportion of reinforcers obtained for those alternatives. Therefore, option D is the correct choice. Option A is incorrect because the matching law states that the proportion of responses will match the proportion of reinforcers obtained, not necessarily the number of responses. Option B is incorrect because the matching law states that the proportion of responses will match the proportion of reinforcers obtained, not necessarily become equal over time. Option C is incorrect because the organism may still respond to the alternative with a lower rate of reinforcement if it provides some reinforcement.

Question 6

When providing behavior analytic services to a child in a school setting, a behavior analyst should

Accepted Answer

Enlisting the support of other members of the interdisciplinary team is important for ensuring comprehensive and effective treatment planning and implementation, as it allows for collaboration and integration of different perspectives and expertise.

Question 7

Responses that are likely to allow access to new reinforcers or environments, produce generative behavior, and compete with inappropriate responses are called.

Accepted Answer

Behavioral cusps are responses that have broad implications for a person's repertoire and access to new environments and reinforcers. They are likely to lead to the development of other important skills and behaviors and can compete with inappropriate responses. Component behaviors and prerequisite behaviors may be important building blocks for more complex skills, but they may not have the same broad impact as behavioral cusps. Normalized behaviors refer to behaviors that are socially acceptable and in line with cultural norms, but they may not necessarily have the same generative or competitive effects.

Question 8

Robert has been referred because he is losing significant amounts of weight due to refusal of most foods. What should the behavior analyst consider first?

Accepted Answer

The behavior analyst should always consider possible medical conditions as the first step when addressing any significant changes in behavior or physical health. In this case, weight loss could be a symptom of an underlying medical issue that needs to be addressed before implementing any behavior change strategies.

Question 9

Which action would MOST likely increase the effectiveness of a punisher?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which action would MOST likely increase the...

Question 10

In an attempt to promote verbal behavior in her child with developmental delays, a mother is following recommendations to wait for her child to spontaneously make the corresponding vocal response before providing her with the following: cookies, juice, help, M&Ms, chips, milk, sandwich, and "more." The verbal response the mother is attempting to promote is:

Accepted Answer

The mother is trying to promote manding behavior, which is requesting or asking for something through a vocal response. The child is expected to make a vocalization before receiving the desired item, such as saying "cookie" before getting a cookie.

Question 11

Mary Lee has been working on compliance. Given the same mand, in a 15-min. segment, Mary Lee complied with her teacher 4/5 times, her speech therapist, physical education teacher and mother 2/5 times. Six months later, given the same mand, in a 15-min. segment, Mary Lee complied with the bus driver 4/5 times, her physical therapist 4/5 times, the lunch lady 4/5 times and the vice-principal 4/5 times. This scenario is an example of.

Accepted Answer

Mary Lee's compliance with different people in different contexts shows stimulus generalization, as she is responding similarly to different stimuli (people) after training.

Question 12

Amanda is evaluating the effects of video modeling on play skills. Her participants often show reactivity when they are observed. The BEST design to evaluate the video modeling is:

Accepted Answer

The multiple probe design would be the best choice in this scenario because it allows for staggered introduction of the intervention to each participant, reducing the potential for reactivity due to observation. This design also allows for repeated measures of baseline and intervention phases, providing a clearer understanding of the effects of the video modeling intervention on play skills.

Question 13

When implementing punishment procedures, the behavior analyst:

Accepted Answer

Behavior analysts are ethically required to use reinforcement procedures in conjunction with punishment to ensure that alternative, appropriate behaviors are strengthened.

Question 14

When given by a thirsty person in response to the question, "What do you want to drink?" the spoken word "water" is functioning as a (n):

Accepted Answer

A mand is a verbal behavior that expresses a desire, request, or demand, and "water" is a request for a specific beverage.

Question 15

The employees at a group home have not been meeting their supervisor's expectations concerning on-time arrival to work. To address this issue, their supervisor implemented an intervention that allows for each staff member who arrives on time for all scheduled shifts in a given week to obtain an extended lunch break on Fridays. What type of intervention was implemented?

Accepted Answer

An independent group contingency is being used because each staff member is working independently to meet the criterion (on-time arrival) to receive the reward (extended lunch break on Fridays).

Question 16

A caregiver says, "Touch your nose." The child accurately touches his nose. The child's response is an example of a (n):

Accepted Answer

The child's response is a listener response because the child is following a verbal instruction given by the caregiver.

Question 17

The MOST critical consideration when selecting a behavior change intervention is:

Accepted Answer

Increasing a person's independence is the most critical consideration when selecting a behavior change intervention because it empowers the individual to take control of their own behavior and make lasting changes.

Question 18

For promoting maintenance, which approach is MOST appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Using a reinforcement schedule that most closely approximates the schedule in the natural environment is the most appropriate approach for promoting maintenance. This allows the individual to continue receiving regular reinforcement for the desired behavior even when they are outside of the training environment, and helps to ensure that the behavior becomes a long-lasting habit. Continually reinforcing the behavior in the natural environment (option A) is a good strategy, but it is not always feasible or practical to do so consistently. Discontinuing the schedule of reinforcement used in the training environment (option B) would likely result in a decrease or extinction of the behavior over time. A token economy with point gains and losses (option C) may be helpful in the training setting, but may not be as effective in promoting maintenance in the natural environment where token systems are not typically used.

Question 19

A behavior analyst for a local group home has a case involving a person who engages in spitting. First, the behavior analyst conducts a functional assessment and takes a week of baseline data. An intervention is designed and tested for two weeks. The behavior analyst then implements a brief return to baseline, followed by a return to the intervention. This process is primarily an example of which fundamental characteristic of behavior analysis?

Accepted Answer

This process exemplifies empiricism, as it involves systematic observation, measurement, and experimentation to understand and modify behavior.

Question 20

Two responses (such as putting on a sweater and lighting a fire) that produce the same result describe.

Accepted Answer

Functional equivalence refers to when two or more responses produce the same effect or outcome. In the case of putting on a sweater and lighting a fire, both responses result in an increase in warmth and can be considered functionally equivalent. The other options, such as the matching law, stimulus generalization, and response generalization, do not accurately describe the relationship between the two responses.

Exam 1: Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst