ABAT ABAT Reinforcement Systems and Token Economies 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which schedule produces a post-reinforcement pause followed by a high rate of responding?
- Variable interval
- Fixed ratio (Correct answer)
- Variable ratio
- Fixed interval
Correct answer: Fixed ratio
Fixed ratio schedules reliably produce a post-reinforcement pause followed by rapid responding as the ratio requirement approaches completion.
Question 2: Preference assessments are conducted primarily to:
- Identify potential reinforcers for an individual (Correct answer)
- Determine which behaviors to target first
- Measure baseline rates of behavior
- Assess skill deficits
Correct answer: Identify potential reinforcers for an individual
Preference assessments identify stimuli that may function as reinforcers for a specific individual by observing their selection or engagement with various items.
Question 3: What is the primary advantage of using a variable interval schedule?
- It produces the highest response rates
- It produces steady, moderate responding resistant to extinction (Correct answer)
- It is the simplest schedule to implement
- It requires no timing device
Correct answer: It produces steady, moderate responding resistant to extinction
Variable interval schedules produce steady, moderate rates of responding that are highly resistant to extinction because the learner cannot predict when reinforcement will occur.
Question 4: Noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) reduces problem behavior primarily through:
- Punishment of the target behavior
- Abolishing the motivating operation for the behavior (Correct answer)
- Reinforcing incompatible behavior
- Extinction of the target behavior
Correct answer: Abolishing the motivating operation for the behavior
NCR delivers the maintaining reinforcer on a time-based schedule, which abolishes the motivating operation that drives the problem behavior.
Question 5: When implementing a token economy, how should tokens initially be introduced?
- Pair tokens with multiple backup reinforcers across many sessions before using them
- Deliver tokens immediately paired with a known backup reinforcer (Correct answer)
- Give a large number of tokens at first to establish their value
- Use tokens only after the learner requests them
Correct answer: Deliver tokens immediately paired with a known backup reinforcer
Tokens should be immediately and repeatedly paired with backup reinforcers so they acquire conditioned reinforcing value quickly.
Question 6: Which type of reinforcement schedule is thinned to promote durable behavior maintenance?
- Continuous reinforcement (CRF)
- Dense fixed ratio
- Intermittent reinforcement (Correct answer)
- Differential reinforcement of high rates
Correct answer: Intermittent reinforcement
Thinning to intermittent reinforcement schedules makes behavior more resistant to extinction and promotes long-term maintenance.
ABAT ABAT Reinforcement Systems and Token Economies 2
Which schedule produces a post-reinforcement pause followed by a high rate of responding?