BCBA Reinforcement Schedules and Contingency Management 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which schedule of reinforcement produces the highest and most consistent response rates?
- Fixed ratio (FR)
- Variable ratio (VR) (Correct answer)
- Fixed interval (FI)
- Variable interval (VI)
Correct answer: Variable ratio (VR)
Variable ratio schedules produce the highest and most consistent rates of responding because reinforcement is unpredictable, making the behavior highly resistant to extinction.
Question 2: A student receives a sticker after every 5 correct math problems. This is an example of which reinforcement schedule?
- Variable ratio VR-5
- Fixed ratio FR-5 (Correct answer)
- Fixed interval FI-5
- Variable interval VI-5
Correct answer: Fixed ratio FR-5
A fixed ratio schedule delivers reinforcement after a set, predictable number of responses — in this case, every 5 correct problems regardless of time elapsed.
Question 3: What response pattern is typically associated with fixed interval (FI) schedules?
- Steady high rate throughout the interval
- Scalloped pattern with a post-reinforcement pause (Correct answer)
- Constant low rate of responding
- Irregular bursts with long pauses
Correct answer: Scalloped pattern with a post-reinforcement pause
Fixed interval schedules produce a scalloped pattern: a pause after reinforcement, then gradually increasing responding as the end of the interval approaches.
Question 4: Positive reinforcement is correctly defined as:
- Removing an aversive stimulus to increase future behavior
- Adding a preferred stimulus following a behavior to increase its future frequency (Correct answer)
- Presenting an aversive stimulus following behavior to decrease it
- Withholding reinforcement to reduce unwanted behavior
Correct answer: Adding a preferred stimulus following a behavior to increase its future frequency
Positive reinforcement is the contingent presentation of a stimulus following a behavior that increases the future frequency of that behavior.
Question 5: Negative reinforcement is best described as:
- A punishment procedure that decreases behavior
- Adding an aversive stimulus following behavior to increase it
- Contingent removal of an aversive stimulus that increases future responding (Correct answer)
- Withholding reinforcement to reduce a behavior
Correct answer: Contingent removal of an aversive stimulus that increases future responding
Negative reinforcement involves the contingent removal of an aversive stimulus following a behavior, which increases the future probability of that behavior.
Question 6: A child throws a tantrum and the parent gives them a toy to stop the crying. From the child's perspective, this is an example of:
- Positive punishment
- Negative reinforcement
- Positive reinforcement (Correct answer)
- Negative punishment
Correct answer: Positive reinforcement
From the child's perspective, the tantrum is followed by the addition of a preferred item (toy), which will increase the future likelihood of tantrums — this is positive reinforcement.
Question 7: Which reinforcement schedule produces the MOST rapid extinction when reinforcement is discontinued?
- Variable ratio (VR)
- Fixed ratio (FR)
- Variable interval (VI)
- Continuous reinforcement (CRF) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Continuous reinforcement (CRF)
Continuous reinforcement produces the most rapid extinction because the organism quickly detects the change from 100% reinforcement to 0%, whereas intermittent schedules make extinction harder to detect.
BCBA Reinforcement Schedules and Contingency Management 1
Which schedule of reinforcement produces the highest and most consistent response rates?