- Applied Behavior Analysis Skill Acquisition Programming Questions and Answers Flashcards

Which verbal operant is reinforced by the removal of an aversive stimulus or the presentation of a preferred item, and is said to 'benefit the speaker'?

Answer: Mand

A mand is a verbal operant whose form is controlled by a motivating operation and is reinforced by the specific item, action, or removal of an aversive that the speaker requests.

A behavior analyst wants to teach a child to greet peers by first reinforcing any vocalization near a peer, then only 'hi,' then only a full greeting. This strategy is called:

Answer: Shaping

Shaping involves reinforcing successive approximations of a target behavior until the terminal behavior is achieved.

During Natural Environment Teaching (NET), reinforcement is described as 'natural' when it:

Answer: Is the direct and logical outcome of the behavior in context

Natural reinforcement in NET is functionally related to the behavior (e.g., requesting a toy results in receiving the toy), which enhances generalization and maintenance.

Behavioral Skills Training (BST) is a staff/caregiver training model consisting of which four components?

Answer: Instruction, modeling, rehearsal, feedback

BST includes instruction (describing the skill), modeling (demonstrating it), rehearsal (practice), and feedback (corrective or positive) to build competency in trainers.

A learner rapidly acquires new skills when they are embedded within a series of mastered tasks. This phenomenon is known as:

Answer: Behavioral momentum

Behavioral momentum refers to the increased probability and persistence of a target response when it is interspersed with high-probability (already mastered) requests.

Which data collection method is most appropriate for measuring skill acquisition progress in discrete trial training?

Answer: Percent correct per session

Percent correct per session (number of correct responses divided by total trials × 100) is the standard metric for tracking learning progress in DTT skill acquisition programs.

A child has mastered a skill in clinic but does not perform it at home or school. To address this, the BCBA should first:

Answer: Program generalization by conducting training in multiple settings with varied people and materials

When a skill fails to generalize, the recommended approach is to systematically program for generalization by training across settings, people, and materials from the outset.