ABAT ABAT Reinforcement Systems and Token Economies 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client's problem behavior is maintained by escape from demands. A practitioner implements DRI by reinforcing the client for requesting a break appropriately. This is BEST described as:
- Functional communication training using positive reinforcement
- Extinction combined with punishment
- Functional communication training using negative reinforcement (Correct answer)
- Non-contingent reinforcement of escape
Correct answer: Functional communication training using negative reinforcement
Because the original behavior was escape-maintained, reinforcing the alternative communicative response (asking for a break) involves negative reinforcement — removing the demand contingent on the appropriate request.
Question 2: In a group token economy, a practitioner uses an interdependent group contingency where the whole class earns a pizza party if the class average reaches 90% accuracy. This arrangement BEST addresses:
- Individual variability in reinforcer preference
- Peer-mediated support for shared behavioral goals (Correct answer)
- The need for individualized token exchange rates
- Response cost for individual misbehavior
Correct answer: Peer-mediated support for shared behavioral goals
Interdependent group contingencies leverage peer influence — group members are motivated to support each other to reach the shared criterion.
Question 3: A behavior analyst graphs a learner's token earnings over 10 sessions and notices a decreasing trend despite no changes to the token economy rules. The MOST appropriate first step is to:
- Immediately add more backup reinforcers to the store
- Conduct a functional behavior assessment to identify possible behavioral changes (Correct answer)
- Reduce the response requirement for token earning
- Increase the number of tokens available per session
Correct answer: Conduct a functional behavior assessment to identify possible behavioral changes
A declining trend without procedural changes warrants a functional assessment to determine whether environmental, motivational, or behavioral variables have shifted.
Question 4: Which of the following is an advantage of using a generalized conditioned reinforcer (like tokens) over using primary reinforcers directly?
- Generalized reinforcers are always more powerful than primary reinforcers
- Tokens do not satiate as quickly because they are paired with multiple backup reinforcers (Correct answer)
- Primary reinforcers require ethical approval before use
- Tokens eliminate the need for preference assessments
Correct answer: Tokens do not satiate as quickly because they are paired with multiple backup reinforcers
Because tokens can be exchanged for many different backup reinforcers, the learner is less likely to satiate on any single reinforcer, maintaining the token's effectiveness.
Question 5: Response cost is MOST appropriately used in a token economy when:
- No backup reinforcers are available
- A specific behavior needs to be reduced and token removal is the consequence (Correct answer)
- The learner has already exchanged all tokens for backup reinforcers
- The schedule of reinforcement is variable ratio
Correct answer: A specific behavior needs to be reduced and token removal is the consequence
Response cost involves removing a specified number of tokens contingent on a target behavior, functioning as negative punishment to decrease that behavior.
Question 6: A practitioner wants to fade a token economy for a learner who has met behavioral goals. The RECOMMENDED fading sequence is to:
- Abruptly remove tokens and replace with praise only
- Gradually thin the reinforcement schedule and increase the exchange interval before removing tokens (Correct answer)
- Eliminate backup reinforcers first, then remove tokens
- Switch directly from a fixed ratio to extinction
Correct answer: Gradually thin the reinforcement schedule and increase the exchange interval before removing tokens
Gradually thinning the schedule and extending exchange intervals allows behavior to come under the control of more naturally occurring reinforcers without an extinction burst.
Question 7: A learner earns tokens on a variable ratio 5 (VR-5) schedule. Compared to a fixed ratio 5 (FR-5) schedule, VR-5 will produce:
- A post-reinforcement pause after each reinforcer delivery
- More consistent responding with fewer pauses (Correct answer)
- A lower overall rate of responding
- Slower acquisition of the target behavior
Correct answer: More consistent responding with fewer pauses
Variable ratio schedules produce steady, high rates of responding without the predictable post-reinforcement pause seen with fixed ratio schedules.
ABAT ABAT Reinforcement Systems and Token Economies 5
A client's problem behavior is maintained by escape from demands.
A practitioner implements DRI by reinforcing the client for requesting a break appropriately.
This is BEST described as: