Behavior Reduction and Ethics Flashcards

Before implementing any behavior reduction procedure, a BCBA MUST first:

Answer: Ensure that appropriate reinforcement-based interventions have been considered

Ethical ABA practice requires exhausting or considering reinforcement-based and less restrictive alternatives before implementing behavior reduction procedures.

A function-based intervention matches the treatment to:

Answer: The maintaining consequence identified in the functional behavior assessment

Function-based interventions are designed to address the specific reinforcing consequence (attention, escape, tangible, sensory) that maintains the behavior.

Extinction involves:

Answer: Discontinuing the reinforcement that has been maintaining a behavior

Extinction is the withholding of reinforcement that previously followed a behavior, which over time leads to a reduction in that behavior's frequency.

An extinction burst refers to:

Answer: A temporary increase in behavior rate, intensity, or variability when extinction is first implemented

An extinction burst is a common side effect where the target behavior initially increases in frequency, duration, or intensity before it begins to decrease under extinction.

Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) involves:

Answer: Reinforcing a specific alternative behavior while placing the problem behavior on extinction

DRA reinforces a designated appropriate alternative behavior and withholds reinforcement for the problem behavior, making the alternative more efficient than the problem behavior.

Which BACB ethical code requires BCBAs to obtain informed consent before beginning services?

Answer: 2.09 — Informed Consent

BACB Ethics Code section 2.09 requires BCBAs to explain the nature of services, risks, benefits, and alternatives to clients and obtain informed consent prior to initiating services.