BCAT Behavior Reduction Strategies 3 â Questions and Answers
Question 1: Differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior (DRI) is BEST described as reinforcing a behavior that:
- Occurs less frequently than the target behavior
- Cannot physically occur at the same time as the problem behavior (Correct answer)
- Is topographically similar to the problem behavior
- Replaces the problem behavior but can co-occur with it
Correct answer: Cannot physically occur at the same time as the problem behavior
DRI targets a behavior that is physically incompatible with the problem behavior, meaning both cannot occur simultaneously.
Question 2: A learner receives a token every 5 minutes regardless of behavior as part of a behavior reduction plan. This is an example of:
- Non-contingent reinforcement (NCR) (Correct answer)
- Fixed ratio schedule
- Differential reinforcement of other behavior
- Token economy with response cost
Correct answer: Non-contingent reinforcement (NCR)
Non-contingent reinforcement delivers reinforcers on a time-based schedule independent of the learner's behavior, which reduces the motivating operation for problem behavior.
Question 3: Which of the following is a potential risk of using punishment-only procedures without concurrent reinforcement of appropriate behavior?
- The learner may acquire new appropriate behaviors more quickly
- The problem behavior may be suppressed but no functional replacement is learned (Correct answer)
- Punishment becomes more effective over repeated applications
- The learner's overall motivation to earn reinforcers increases
Correct answer: The problem behavior may be suppressed but no functional replacement is learned
Punishment alone suppresses behavior temporarily but does not teach the learner what to do instead, leaving the maintaining motivation unaddressed.
Question 4: A learner's aggression is maintained by access to tangibles. After 3 weeks of extinction, the behavior reappears briefly even though no tangible was provided. This return of behavior after successful extinction is called:
- An extinction burst
- Behavioral contrast
- Spontaneous recovery (Correct answer)
- Resurgence
Correct answer: Spontaneous recovery
Spontaneous recovery is the temporary reappearance of an extinguished behavior after a rest period, without any additional reinforcement.
Question 5: When a technician uses a visual schedule to reduce transitions-related challenging behavior, this is an example of:
- Consequence-based intervention
- Antecedent-based intervention (Correct answer)
- Punishment procedure
- Differential reinforcement
Correct answer: Antecedent-based intervention
Visual schedules are antecedent interventions that modify the environment before the behavior occurs to reduce the likelihood of challenging behavior during transitions.
Question 6: A learner's self-injurious behavior (SIB) is suspected to be maintained by automatic reinforcement. Which procedure addresses this function MOST directly?
- Extinction via ignoring
- Functional communication training targeting escape
- Sensory extinction (blocking sensory feedback) (Correct answer)
- Non-contingent attention on a fixed-time schedule
Correct answer: Sensory extinction (blocking sensory feedback)
For automatically reinforced SIB, sensory extinctionâblocking the sensory consequence of the behaviorâdirectly targets the maintaining reinforcer.
Question 7: Which of the following BEST describes the ethical obligation when implementing a behavior reduction plan?
- Prioritize the most efficient behavior reduction method regardless of intrusiveness
- Use the least restrictive, most positive approach that is likely to be effective (Correct answer)
- Follow all BCBA instructions without questioning their basis
- Behavior reduction always takes priority over skill acquisition
Correct answer: Use the least restrictive, most positive approach that is likely to be effective
The BACB's ethical guidelines require using the least restrictive, most positive effective approach to behavior reduction.
BCAT Behavior Reduction Strategies 3
Differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior (DRI) is BEST described as reinforcing a behavior that: