Reinforcement Schedules & Procedures Flashcards
7 cards from real ABA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Reinforcement Schedules & Procedures flashcards as text
A behavior analyst is using a high-probability (high-p) request sequence before a low-p request. The purpose of this procedure is to:
Answer: Build behavioral momentum to increase compliance with the low-p request
High-p sequences build behavioral momentum by reinforcing a series of easy, high-compliance requests immediately before delivering a more difficult request.
In a multiple schedule, the same organism is exposed to two or more different simple schedules in alternation, each correlated with a different:
Answer: Discriminative stimulus
In a multiple schedule, each component schedule is signaled by a distinct discriminative stimulus (SD), allowing the organism to discriminate which schedule is in effect.
When a behavior maintained on a variable interval schedule is placed on extinction, what pattern of responding is typically observed?
Answer: Slow, gradual decline with high resistance to extinction
Variable interval schedules produce gradual extinction curves because the organism has experienced unpredictable delays in reinforcement and thus persists longer without it.
A BCBA uses a procedure where reinforcement is only available during certain time periods, signaled by the presence of a specific stimulus. Between those periods, no reinforcement is available. This is a(n):
Answer: Multiple schedule
A multiple schedule presents two or more component schedules in alternation, each correlated with a distinct discriminative stimulus that signals which component is active.
Intermittent reinforcement during initial skill acquisition may hinder learning because:
Answer: The learner cannot clearly discriminate which responses produce reinforcement
During initial acquisition, continuous reinforcement (CRF) is preferred because each correct response is reinforced, making the contingency clear and accelerating learning.
A token economy in which a student loses tokens for misbehavior is using which contingency?
Answer: Response cost
Response cost is a form of negative punishment in which a specified amount of a conditioned reinforcer (e.g., tokens) is removed contingent on a target behavior.
Which of the following best describes a 'concurrent schedule of reinforcement'?
Answer: Two or more independent schedules available simultaneously for two or more behaviors
Concurrent schedules make two or more independent reinforcement schedules available at the same time, each associated with a different response option.