BCABA Generalization and Maintenance 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Stimulus generalization occurs when a trained behavior is evoked by:
- Only the exact training stimulus
- Stimuli that are similar but not identical to the training stimulus (Correct answer)
- A completely different behavior
- The absence of any stimulus
Correct answer: Stimuli that are similar but not identical to the training stimulus
Stimulus generalization means the behavior occurs in the presence of stimuli that share physical or functional similarities with the original discriminative stimulus.
Question 2: Response generalization occurs when:
- A trained response occurs in a new setting
- New, untrained responses in the same class are emitted following training (Correct answer)
- A behavior extinguishes in a new environment
- Reinforcement is delivered in multiple settings
Correct answer: New, untrained responses in the same class are emitted following training
Response generalization means that after training one behavior, other topographically or functionally similar behaviors also change without direct training.
Question 3: Programming for generalization should begin:
- Only after the behavior is mastered in the training setting
- During initial intervention planning before training begins (Correct answer)
- When generalization fails to occur naturally
- After the client is discharged
Correct answer: During initial intervention planning before training begins
Generalization should be proactively planned from the start of intervention, not treated as an afterthought after skill acquisition.
Question 4: Training sufficient exemplars as a generalization strategy involves:
- Teaching the skill in one setting with many repetitions
- Using multiple examples of stimuli and responses during training (Correct answer)
- Reinforcing only exact response topographies
- Withholding reinforcement in generalization probes
Correct answer: Using multiple examples of stimuli and responses during training
Training with multiple and varied exemplars of relevant stimuli and responses facilitates generalization by preventing narrow stimulus control.
Question 5: The 'train and hope' strategy for generalization is considered inadequate because:
- It requires too many exemplars
- It passively relies on generalization occurring without systematic planning (Correct answer)
- It uses too many trainers
- It involves too much reinforcement
Correct answer: It passively relies on generalization occurring without systematic planning
'Train and hope' assumes generalization will occur on its own after training in one setting, which research shows is often insufficient and unreliable.
Question 6: Teaching in the natural environment (NET) supports generalization by:
- Reducing the role of motivation
- Conducting training in the settings and with the stimuli present in everyday life (Correct answer)
- Using only structured discrete trials
- Eliminating variability in instruction
Correct answer: Conducting training in the settings and with the stimuli present in everyday life
NET embeds instruction within naturally occurring activities and routines, promoting generalization to real-world contexts from the outset.
BCABA Generalization and Maintenance 1
Stimulus generalization occurs when a trained behavior is evoked by: