BCAT Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Fundamentals 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the 'A' in the ABC model of behavior analysis stand for?
- Antecedent (Correct answer)
- Action
- Assessment
- Analysis
Correct answer: Antecedent
The ABC model stands for Antecedent, Behavior, and Consequence, which describes the three-term contingency central to ABA.
Question 2: Which of the following is the best example of positive reinforcement?
- Removing a loud noise when a child sits quietly
- Giving a sticker after a child completes a task (Correct answer)
- Taking away screen time after a tantrum
- Ignoring a child's disruptive behavior
Correct answer: Giving a sticker after a child completes a task
Positive reinforcement involves adding a desirable stimulus (sticker) following a behavior to increase the likelihood of that behavior occurring again.
Question 3: In ABA, what is 'extinction'?
- Punishing an undesirable behavior
- Withholding reinforcement that previously maintained a behavior (Correct answer)
- Teaching a new replacement behavior
- Gradually fading prompts over time
Correct answer: Withholding reinforcement that previously maintained a behavior
Extinction is the process of withholding the reinforcer that previously maintained a behavior, which over time reduces the frequency of that behavior.
Question 4: What is a discriminative stimulus (SD)?
- A stimulus that follows and reinforces a behavior
- A cue that signals reinforcement is available for a specific behavior (Correct answer)
- A punishment delivered after an undesired behavior
- A neutral stimulus with no effect on behavior
Correct answer: A cue that signals reinforcement is available for a specific behavior
A discriminative stimulus (SD) signals to the learner that a particular response will be reinforced, increasing the likelihood of that response.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)?
- To measure a student's academic achievement level
- To identify the function or purpose a behavior serves for an individual (Correct answer)
- To determine the appropriate punishment for a behavior
- To compare a student's behavior to typical peers
Correct answer: To identify the function or purpose a behavior serves for an individual
An FBA identifies the function (e.g., attention, escape, access to tangibles, sensory) that a behavior serves, which guides the development of effective interventions.
Question 6: Which of the following is an example of negative reinforcement?
- Adding a preferred item after a correct response
- Removing a loud noise when a child puts on headphones (Correct answer)
- Presenting a time-out after hitting behavior
- Withholding praise to reduce talking out
Correct answer: Removing a loud noise when a child puts on headphones
Negative reinforcement involves removing an aversive stimulus (loud noise) following a behavior (putting on headphones), which increases that behavior in the future.
Question 7: What is differential reinforcement in ABA?
- Reinforcing all behaviors equally regardless of type
- Reinforcing a specific target behavior while withholding reinforcement for other behaviors (Correct answer)
- Using different reinforcers for different learners
- Applying reinforcement on a variable schedule only
Correct answer: Reinforcing a specific target behavior while withholding reinforcement for other behaviors
Differential reinforcement involves reinforcing a specific desired behavior while placing other behaviors on extinction, allowing selective strengthening of target responses.
BCAT Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Fundamentals 1
What does the 'A' in the ABC model of behavior analysis stand for?