ABAT - Applied Behavior Analysis Prompting and Fading Procedures Questions and Answers 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What distinguishes a 'model prompt' from a 'verbal prompt'?
- A model prompt uses physical contact; a verbal prompt does not
- A model prompt demonstrates the behavior; a verbal prompt provides spoken instructions or cues (Correct answer)
- A model prompt is used only for motor tasks; a verbal prompt is used only for vocal tasks
- A model prompt fades automatically; a verbal prompt must be manually faded
Correct answer: A model prompt demonstrates the behavior; a verbal prompt provides spoken instructions or cues
A model prompt shows the learner the target response through demonstration, while a verbal prompt provides spoken information (directions, labels, or questions).
Question 2: In progressive time delay, how does the delay interval change across sessions or trials?
- It decreases by a fixed amount each trial
- It remains constant until mastery, then is removed
- It increases incrementally (e.g., 0s → 2s → 4s → 6s) (Correct answer)
- It varies randomly to prevent prompt dependency
Correct answer: It increases incrementally (e.g., 0s → 2s → 4s → 6s)
Progressive time delay gradually increases the wait time between the SD and the prompt in small steps, giving the learner increasing opportunity to respond independently.
Question 3: A behavior analyst wants to teach a child to identify the letter 'B' from distractors. She initially prints 'B' in red while distractors are gray, then gradually shifts the color to gray over trials. This is an example of:
- Gestural prompting
- Stimulus fading via a within-stimulus prompt (Correct answer)
- Constant time delay
- Response prompting with error correction
Correct answer: Stimulus fading via a within-stimulus prompt
Changing a color dimension of the target stimulus across trials until it matches the distractor describes stimulus fading using a within-stimulus (color) prompt.
Question 4: Which data pattern would most strongly support the conclusion that prompt fading is proceeding correctly?
- Errors increase as prompts are removed
- The learner requires more intrusive prompts over time
- Correct independent responses increase as prompt level decreases (Correct answer)
- Latency to respond increases across all phases
Correct answer: Correct independent responses increase as prompt level decreases
Successful fading is evidenced by more correct unprompted responses as the level or intensity of prompts is systematically reduced.
Question 5: An instructor reinforces a correct response only when it occurs before the prompt is delivered during a time delay procedure. This is called a:
- Prompted correct response
- No-no prompt procedure
- Unprompted correct response (anticipation response) (Correct answer)
- Errorless learning trial
Correct answer: Unprompted correct response (anticipation response)
When the learner responds correctly within the delay interval before the prompt is given, this is an unprompted (or anticipation) correct response, which indicates emerging independence.
Question 6: Which statement best describes the goal of all prompting procedures in ABA?
- To maximize reinforcement density during instruction
- To ensure error-free learning at every trial indefinitely
- To transfer stimulus control from prompts to natural environmental cues (Correct answer)
- To reduce the need for a behavioral intervention plan
Correct answer: To transfer stimulus control from prompts to natural environmental cues
The ultimate purpose of prompting is to establish responding under the control of naturally occurring antecedents rather than trainer-delivered cues.
Question 7: A positional prompt is most at risk for which of the following problems?
- Making the task too physically demanding
- The learner learning to select the stimulus based on its location rather than its identity (Correct answer)
- Increasing response latency across trials
- Reducing the generalization of the skill to new settings
Correct answer: The learner learning to select the stimulus based on its location rather than its identity
If the correct stimulus is always placed in the same position (e.g., top-left), the learner may develop position-based rather than identity-based stimulus control.
ABAT - Applied Behavior Analysis Prompting and Fading Procedures Questions and Answers 5
What distinguishes a 'model prompt' from a 'verbal prompt'?