AICPA Behavior Management Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which reinforcement schedule produces the highest and most consistent rate of behavior in organizational settings?
- Fixed-ratio schedule
- Variable-ratio schedule (Correct answer)
- Fixed-interval schedule
- Variable-interval schedule
Correct answer: Variable-ratio schedule
Variable-ratio schedules produce the highest and most consistent response rates because the unpredictable nature of reinforcement maintains engagement.
Question 2: A manager notices an employee frequently arrives late. Using extinction as a behavior modification technique, the manager should:
- Publicly reprimand the employee each time they are late
- Remove any attention or rewards previously given for late arrivals (Correct answer)
- Implement a progressive discipline policy immediately
- Assign the employee to an earlier shift
Correct answer: Remove any attention or rewards previously given for late arrivals
Extinction involves removing the reinforcement that maintains an unwanted behavior, causing it to gradually decrease and stop.
Question 3: In organizational behavior modification (OB Mod), which step involves identifying the functional antecedents and consequences of a target behavior?
- Identifying critical performance behaviors
- Measuring baseline frequency
- Performing the functional analysis (Correct answer)
- Evaluating performance improvement
Correct answer: Performing the functional analysis
The functional analysis step in OB Mod examines the antecedents that trigger the behavior and the consequences that maintain it.
Question 4: Which concept explains why an employee who was praised for creative ideas stops sharing them after receiving consistent negative feedback?
- Negative reinforcement
- Punishment by removal
- Learned helplessness (Correct answer)
- Operant extinction
Correct answer: Learned helplessness
Learned helplessness occurs when repeated negative outcomes lead an individual to believe their efforts have no effect, causing them to stop trying.
Question 5: According to behavior modification principles, which approach is most effective for establishing a complex new workplace skill?
- Shaping through successive approximations (Correct answer)
- Administering punishment for incorrect attempts
- Waiting until the full behavior is performed before reinforcing
- Using a continuous reinforcement schedule throughout
Correct answer: Shaping through successive approximations
Shaping reinforces successive approximations toward the desired behavior, making it effective for building complex new skills incrementally.
Question 6: A supervisor removes a burdensome reporting requirement when an employee meets their sales target. This is an example of:
- Positive reinforcement
- Negative reinforcement (Correct answer)
- Punishment by application
- Extinction
Correct answer: Negative reinforcement
Negative reinforcement strengthens behavior by removing an aversive stimulus (the burdensome requirement) when the desired behavior occurs.
Question 7: Which type of punishment involves adding an aversive stimulus following an undesirable behavior?
- Punishment by removal
- Negative reinforcement
- Punishment by application (Correct answer)
- Operant extinction
Correct answer: Punishment by application
Punishment by application (positive punishment) adds an unpleasant consequence to reduce the likelihood of an undesirable behavior recurring.
AICPA Behavior Management Techniques 2
Which reinforcement schedule produces the highest and most consistent rate of behavior in organizational settings?