ABA Behavioral Principles and Concepts 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When the same topographically different responses all produce the same outcome, this is called:
- Response generalization (Correct answer)
- Stimulus generalization
- Functional equivalence
- Behavioral variability
Correct answer: Response generalization
Response generalization occurs when a variety of different responses, all different in form, produce the same reinforcing outcome.
Question 2: A fixed interval schedule produces which characteristic pattern of responding?
- Steady high rate throughout the interval
- Scallop pattern — slow at start, accelerating near the end (Correct answer)
- Rapid responding only immediately after reinforcement
- Completely random response distribution
Correct answer: Scallop pattern — slow at start, accelerating near the end
Fixed interval schedules produce a scallop pattern where responding pauses after reinforcement then accelerates as the interval end approaches.
Question 3: In differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO), reinforcement is delivered when:
- The target behavior occurs at a lower rate than baseline
- The problem behavior has not occurred for a specified time period (Correct answer)
- An alternative behavior that serves the same function occurs
- Any behavior incompatible with the problem behavior occurs
Correct answer: The problem behavior has not occurred for a specified time period
DRO delivers reinforcement contingent on the absence of the target problem behavior for a specified interval of time.
Question 4: Which concept explains why a child who has learned to request a break card in therapy may resist using it on the playground?
- Maintenance failure
- Stimulus control narrowness
- Generalization decrement (Correct answer)
- Response effort mismatch
Correct answer: Generalization decrement
Generalization decrement occurs when behavior trained in one setting fails to occur in new settings due to differences in stimulus conditions.
Question 5: The term 'contiguity' in conditioning refers to:
- The similarity between training and generalization stimuli
- The temporal closeness between a behavior and its consequence (Correct answer)
- The number of trials needed to establish a conditioned response
- The degree to which reinforcement is predictable
Correct answer: The temporal closeness between a behavior and its consequence
Contiguity refers to the temporal relationship between a behavior (or stimulus) and a consequence — closer in time generally produces stronger conditioning.
Question 6: Which of the following describes 'negative contrast' in behavioral terms?
- A decrease in responding on one schedule when a richer schedule is introduced concurrently (Correct answer)
- An increase in problem behavior when punishment is removed
- A temporary increase in behavior during the extinction process
- A reduction in reinforcer effectiveness due to satiation
Correct answer: A decrease in responding on one schedule when a richer schedule is introduced concurrently
Behavioral contrast (negative) occurs when introducing a richer reinforcement schedule in one context causes a decrease in responding in another context.
Question 7: Unconditioned reinforcers differ from conditioned reinforcers in that unconditioned reinforcers:
- Are more effective after satiation
- Do not require learning history to function as reinforcers (Correct answer)
- Are always more powerful than conditioned reinforcers
- Can only be delivered on continuous schedules
Correct answer: Do not require learning history to function as reinforcers
Unconditioned (primary) reinforcers are biologically determined and reinforce behavior without prior learning, such as food, water, and warmth.
ABA Behavioral Principles and Concepts 4
When the same topographically different responses all produce the same outcome, this is called: