CTA Behavior Management & Intervention 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which antecedent strategy involves changing the physical environment to prevent problem behavior before it starts?
- Consequence modification
- Setting event manipulation
- Environmental modification (Correct answer)
- Differential reinforcement
Correct answer: Environmental modification
Environmental modification involves altering the physical or social setting (seating, noise, lighting) to reduce triggers for problem behavior.
Question 2: A student often acts out right before transitions. The BEST proactive strategy is to:
- Cancel transitions for that student
- Provide a transition warning 2–5 minutes before the change (Correct answer)
- Send the student out of class during every transition
- Ignore the behavior and proceed with the transition
Correct answer: Provide a transition warning 2–5 minutes before the change
Advance transition warnings give the student time to prepare mentally, reducing the anxiety or resistance that triggers acting out.
Question 3: Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior (DRI) means:
- Punishing all negative behaviors equally
- Reinforcing a behavior that cannot occur at the same time as the problem behavior (Correct answer)
- Withholding all reinforcement until behavior improves
- Giving reinforcement on a fixed schedule
Correct answer: Reinforcing a behavior that cannot occur at the same time as the problem behavior
DRI reinforces a response that is physically incompatible with the problem behavior, making it impossible for both to occur simultaneously.
Question 4: A student who frequently argues with peers is taught to take three deep breaths instead. This is called:
- Overcorrection
- Replacement behavior instruction (Correct answer)
- Aversive conditioning
- Response blocking
Correct answer: Replacement behavior instruction
Teaching a replacement behavior gives the student an acceptable alternative that serves the same function as the problem behavior.
Question 5: During a crisis situation involving a student who may harm others, the teacher assistant's FIRST priority is:
- Documenting the incident
- Ensuring the safety of all students and staff (Correct answer)
- Contacting the student's parents
- Reviewing the student's IEP
Correct answer: Ensuring the safety of all students and staff
Safety of all individuals in the environment is always the first priority during any behavioral crisis.
Question 6: Which of the following is an example of negative reinforcement?
- Taking away recess time when a student misbehaves
- Allowing a student to skip a disliked task after completing work quietly (Correct answer)
- Adding extra homework as a consequence for disruption
- Praising a student for raising their hand
Correct answer: Allowing a student to skip a disliked task after completing work quietly
Negative reinforcement increases a behavior by removing an aversive stimulus (the disliked task) when the desired behavior occurs.
Question 7: A student consistently misbehaves to get sent out of class. Based on behavioral principles, this behavior is most likely maintained by:
- Sensory stimulation
- Tangible reinforcement
- Escape/avoidance (Correct answer)
- Attention-seeking
Correct answer: Escape/avoidance
When misbehavior results in removal from an undesirable situation (class), it is maintained by the escape/avoidance function.
CTA Behavior Management & Intervention 3
Which antecedent strategy involves changing the physical environment to prevent problem behavior before it starts?