BCAT Principles of ABA Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which of the following is the best example of positive reinforcement?

Accepted Answer

Giving a child a sticker for completing a puzzle.

Answer

Positive reinforcement involves adding a desirable stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior occurring again. In this case, the sticker (a desirable stimulus) is given after the child completes the puzzle (the desired behavior).

Question 2

A technician is working with a client who often screams to get access to a preferred toy. The supervising BCBA has instructed the technician to no longer provide the toy when the client screams. This procedure is known as:

Accepted Answer

Extinction

Answer

Extinction is the process of withholding reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior to decrease the future likelihood of that behavior. Here, the reinforcement (access to the toy) is being withheld when the screaming behavior occurs.

Question 3

In the 3-term contingency (ABC model), what does the 'A' stand for?

Accepted Answer

Antecedent

Answer

The 'A' in the ABC model of Applied Behavior Analysis stands for Antecedent. The antecedent is the event, action, or circumstance that occurs immediately before a behavior.

Question 4

A client is learning to wash their hands independently. The technician begins by physically guiding the client's hands through every step. Over time, the technician fades to lighter touch, then to a gesture, and finally, the client completes the task with only a verbal instruction. This process is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Prompt Fading

Answer

Prompt fading is the systematic reduction of a prompt until it is no longer needed for the learner to perform the skill independently. The scenario describes moving from a more intrusive prompt (physical guidance) to a less intrusive prompt (verbal instruction).

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT one of the four primary functions of behavior in ABA?

Accepted Answer

Retaliation

Answer

The four commonly cited functions of behavior in ABA are: Escape/Avoidance, Attention, Access to Tangibles, and Automatic/Sensory Reinforcement. Retaliation is not considered a scientific function of behavior in this context.

(BCAT) Board Certified Autism Technician Practice Test

(BCAT) Board Certified Autism Technician Practice Test

BCAT Principles of ABA Questions and Answers