FREE Foundational Knowledge Questions and Answers Flashcards

When a behavior is reinforced only when it occurs in the presence of a specific stimulus, that stimulus becomes a:

Answer: Discriminative stimulus (SD)

A discriminative stimulus (SD) signals that reinforcement is available, increasing the probability of the behavior in its presence.

Which function of behavior involves engaging in a behavior to gain access to a preferred item or activity from another person?

Answer: Tangible/access

Tangible or access-maintained behavior is reinforced by obtaining a preferred item, activity, or sensory experience mediated by others.

Stimulus generalization occurs when:

Answer: A response occurs to stimuli similar to the original training stimulus

Stimulus generalization is the tendency for a conditioned response to occur in the presence of stimuli resembling the original discriminative stimulus.

A BCBA adds a response cost component to a token economy, meaning:

Answer: Tokens are removed contingent on target behavior

Response cost involves removing a specified number of tokens contingent on an inappropriate behavior, functioning as negative punishment.

Which concept explains why a behavior that has been reinforced many times is more resistant to extinction than one reinforced only a few times?

Answer: Behavioral momentum

Behavioral momentum refers to the persistence of behavior in the face of disruption, which is greater when a behavior has a high history of reinforcement.

In ABA, the term 'topography' refers to:

Answer: The physical form or shape of a behavior

Topography describes the physical characteristics or form of a behavior — what it actually looks like when performed.

Which intervention strategy involves reinforcing successive approximations toward a target behavior?

Answer: Shaping

Shaping uses differential reinforcement of successive approximations to gradually guide behavior toward a terminal target.