ABA Research, Analysis, and Intervention 2

Question 1

A researcher wants to determine if a functional relationship exists between a reinforcement schedule and response rate. Which design best demonstrates experimental control?

Accepted Answer

Reversal (ABA) design with repeated measurement

Answer

Reversal designs demonstrate experimental control by showing behavior changes predictably with introduction and withdrawal of the independent variable.

Question 2

When graphing data in ABA, the convention for representing a change in the independent variable between phases is:

Accepted Answer

A vertical dashed or solid phase change line

Answer

Phase change lines (vertical lines between data paths) are the standard convention for indicating a change in conditions on ABA graphs.

Question 3

In a multiple-baseline design across behaviors, the researcher delays introducing the intervention to each new behavior primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Demonstrate that change occurs only when and where the intervention is applied

Answer

Staggered introduction controls for confounds by showing behavior changes only upon intervention, ruling out coincidental events.

Question 4

Which measure of variability in a data set is most useful when the analyst suspects outliers are distorting the picture of typical performance?

Accepted Answer

Median absolute deviation

Answer

Median absolute deviation is robust to outliers because it is based on the median rather than the mean, making it less sensitive to extreme values.

Question 5

A behavior analyst conducting a functional analysis observes that self-injurious behavior is highest during the alone condition. This pattern suggests the behavior is maintained by:

Accepted Answer

Automatic (sensory) reinforcement

Answer

Elevated responding in the alone condition indicates the behavior produces its own reinforcing consequences independent of social mediation.

ABA - Applied Behavior Analysis Practice Test

ABA - Applied Behavior Analysis Practice Test

ABA Research, Analysis, and Intervention 2