Question 1

Tokens are generally referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Tokens are a type of conditioned reinforcer, as they acquire their reinforcing properties through their association with other reinforcers.

Question 2

Which is the BEST example of stimulus generalization?

Accepted Answer

Tim's ability to generalize his skill of asking for help from his teacher to asking for help from a fellow student demonstrates stimulus generalization. He has learned to apply the skill he acquired in one context to another similar context.

Question 3

Which schedule of reinforcement is most effective at maintaining behaviors?

Accepted Answer

Intermittent reinforcement is the most effective schedule of reinforcement for maintaining behaviors. This is because it creates a stronger connection between the behavior and the reward, as the individual is unsure when they will receive the reward. This makes the individual more likely to continue engaging in the behavior in order to receive the reward, even if it is only given intermittently. Continuous reinforcement can lead to habituation and extinction, while extinction is not a schedule of reinforcement and ratio schedules may create a sense of predictability that reduces the effectiveness of the reinforcement.

Question 4

Staff alerts you that one of their clients seems to become aggressive when he has not consumed food for several hours. This phenomenon demonstrates the effect of a(n):

Accepted Answer

The scenario describes an establishing operation, which is an environmental event or condition that alters the value of a particular behavior's consequence. In this case, the client becoming aggressive is a behavior that is influenced by the establishing operation of hunger.

Question 5

Data were collected on the percentage of intervals at the end of which Thomas was present at his workstation. Which is the BEST method for displaying these data?

Accepted Answer

The percentage of intervals at the end of which Thomas was present at his workstation is a continuous variable that is best displayed using a line graph. The equal-interval line graph is the most appropriate option because the intervals between each data point are equal. Cumulative records would be best for displaying cumulative data over time, scatterplots are useful for examining the relationship between two or more variables, and standard behavior charts are most suitable for displaying data over multiple sessions.

Question 6

Alternative appropriate behaviors that serve the same function for an individual:

Accepted Answer

Alternative appropriate behaviors should produce the same reinforcer to effectively replace the problem behavior, ensuring the individual's needs are met in a more acceptable way.

Question 7

Select the best staff training package:

Accepted Answer

Choice C provides a comprehensive training package that includes explanations of procedures, demonstrations, practice opportunities, and feedback from supervisors. This allows staff to fully grasp the skills and receive personalized coaching to improve their performance. Choices A, B, and D could be useful supplements to a larger training package, but do not provide the same level of hands-on practice and skill building as Choice C.

Question 8

In order to promote generalization in intensive teaching, the behavior analyst should.

Accepted Answer

Teaching loosely involves varying non-critical aspects of the teaching environment, which helps promote generalization by preventing the learner from becoming dependent on specific cues.

Question 9

In this graph, what is plotted on number 1?

Accepted Answer

The dependent variable is plotted on the y-axis, which is labeled "Number 1".

Question 10

Jack, a behavior analyst, is consulting about a student who engages in face slapping. A recent functional analysis clearly determined that the behavior is maintained by automatic reinforcement. In the past, reinforcement procedures alone were found to be ineffective. The current intervention consists of a punishment procedure. pulling the student's hands away from his face contingent on any attempts to slap and saying, "No!" Jack should.

Accepted Answer

Since punishment procedures alone have been ineffective in the past, it may be more effective to add a reinforcement procedure that promotes replacement or incompatible behaviors while also implementing the punishment procedure. This will provide the student with alternative behaviors to engage in while discouraging the face slapping behavior. It is important to continuously collect data on the plan and revise as necessary. Referring to another behavior analyst who works with punishment only cases is not necessary given the potential for adding a more effective reinforcement procedure. Re-doing the assessment and planning to eliminate all punishment procedures may not be necessary if the addition of a reinforcement procedure proves to be effective.

Question 11

A child who learns to say "red" when presented with a red card, also says "red" when presented with an orange card.  This is called:

Accepted Answer

Stimulus generalization occurs when a response is emitted in the presence of a stimulus that is similar, but not identical to, the originally trained stimulus. In this scenario, the child learned to say "red" when presented with a red card, but then generalized that response to an orange card, which is similar in color.

Question 12

Adherence to "procedural integrity" promotes generalization by facilitating.

Accepted Answer

Adherence to procedural integrity ensures consistency of instruction which promotes generalization of skills across various settings, thus improving treatment outcomes.

Question 13

The decision to develop and implement a behavior intervention plan is not made unless:

Accepted Answer

In order to develop and implement a behavior intervention plan, it is essential to have data that shows the need for behavior change. This data can come from various sources, including observations, assessments, and information from the individual, family, and team members. Without data, it is difficult to determine the nature of the problem behavior and the most effective interventions to address it. The other options presented (A, C, and D) may also be considered when making the decision to develop and implement a behavior intervention plan, but they are not sufficient on their own without the backing of data.

Question 14

You are teaching David to clean the workshop to prepare him for working on the cleaning crew.  Read the descriptions below and identify which is LEAST likely to promote generalization of the workshop cleaning skills to real-life cleaning jobs.

Accepted Answer

Making the workshop distinct from the cleaning crew and gradually making it more like it may lead David to associate the cleaning skills he learns with only the workshop environment, and not generalize them to other cleaning situations. Therefore, it is least likely to promote generalization.

Question 15

All of the following are appropriate methods for promoting maintenance and generalization of newly trained behaviors EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Varying cues in the natural environment to match those in the training setting is not an appropriate method for promoting maintenance and generalization, as it focuses on altering the natural environment rather than preparing the individual to adapt to it.

Question 16

Self-management is best defined as the:

Accepted Answer

Self-management involves applying behavior change tactics to produce a desired change in one's behavior, which aligns with option A. Options B and C are too specific in terms of the direction of change, whereas option D is too broad in terms of the target of the behavior change tactics.

Question 17

A married couple wants a behavior analyst to assist them in creating a happier home life for their family. The behavior analyst should.

Accepted Answer

The best course of action would be for the behavior analyst to explain how behavior analysis could be used to assist the family so that they can make an informed decision about proceeding. This allows the family to understand how their behavior can be analyzed and modified in order to create a happier home life for everyone. It's important for the family to know what they're getting into and how behavior analysis can help them achieve their goals. Referring the family to another professional is not necessary, as behavior analysis can be applied to a wide variety of issues, including family dynamics. Providing counseling is also not the best choice, as the focus should be on using behavior analysis techniques to address the identified issues. Setting up contracts between parents and children may be a helpful strategy, but this should come after the family understands how behavior analysis can be applied to their situation.

Question 18

A child is exhibiting tantrum behaviors.  You believe the tantrum is occurring for your attention.  You therefore ignore the tantrum until it ceases while continuing daily activities.  You note that the tantrums decrease over time.  This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The answer of A child is exhibiting tantrum behaviors.  You believe...

Question 19

A teacher says: "Everyone, you have math homework tonight. Tomorrow, I will draw a name from a hat. If that person has completed his or her homework and remembered to bring it back to school, everyone will get extra recess."  What type of group contingency is this?

Accepted Answer

This is a dependent group contingency because the reward for the entire group depends on the behavior of one individual.

Question 20

Placing a request that a child is least likely to perform at the end of a series of requests that the child is most likely to perform is a phenomenon known as:

Accepted Answer

The Premack principle states that a high-probability behavior can be used to reinforce a low-probability behavior. In this case, placing a request that a child is least likely to perform at the end of a series of requests that the child is most likely to perform would increase the likelihood that the child would perform the least likely request.

Exam 2: Board Certified Behavior Analyst