RBT Skill Acquisition and Training 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a most-to-least prompting hierarchy, what happens first?
- The learner attempts the task independently
- The least intrusive prompt is provided
- The most intrusive prompt is provided to ensure success (Correct answer)
- No prompt is given until the learner makes an error
Correct answer: The most intrusive prompt is provided to ensure success
In most-to-least prompting, the instructor begins with the most intrusive prompt to ensure the learner successfully completes the response. Prompts are then systematically faded to less intrusive levels as the learner demonstrates competence.
Question 2: What is stimulus fading?
- Gradually changing the physical characteristics of a stimulus (Correct answer)
- Removing a discriminative stimulus entirely
- Adding new stimuli to a teaching environment
- Increasing the intensity of a stimulus over time
Correct answer: Gradually changing the physical characteristics of a stimulus
Stimulus fading involves gradually changing the physical dimensions of a stimulus (such as size, color, or intensity) to transfer stimulus control from an added prompt to the natural discriminative stimulus.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes shaping?
- Reinforcing successive approximations toward a target behavior (Correct answer)
- Teaching all steps of a task at once
- Using physical prompts exclusively
- Presenting a model for the learner to imitate
Correct answer: Reinforcing successive approximations toward a target behavior
Shaping involves differentially reinforcing successive approximations of a target behavior. The criteria for reinforcement gradually become closer to the desired behavior until the target behavior is achieved.
Question 4: An RBT is teaching a child to wash hands using backward chaining. Which step does the child learn first?
- Turning on the water
- Applying soap
- Rinsing hands
- Drying hands with a towel (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Drying hands with a towel
In backward chaining, the last step of the task analysis is taught first. For handwashing, drying hands is typically the final step. The instructor completes all preceding steps and the learner performs only the last step independently.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a discriminative stimulus (SD) in skill acquisition?
- To punish incorrect responses
- To signal that reinforcement is available for a specific response (Correct answer)
- To provide a physical prompt
- To reduce the frequency of a behavior
Correct answer: To signal that reinforcement is available for a specific response
A discriminative stimulus (SD) signals to the learner that a specific response will be reinforced. It sets the occasion for the behavior by indicating that reinforcement is available contingent on the correct response.
Question 6: During total task presentation, the learner is expected to:
- Perform only the first step
- Perform only the last step
- Attempt every step in the chain each session (Correct answer)
- Watch the instructor model the entire task
Correct answer: Attempt every step in the chain each session
Total task presentation (also called whole task method) requires the learner to attempt every step in the task analysis during each teaching session. Prompts are provided as needed at any step where the learner requires assistance.
RBT Skill Acquisition and Training 2
In a most-to-least prompting hierarchy, what happens first?