RBT Generalization and Maintenance 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is stimulus generalization?
- Behavior occurring only in training settings
- Behavior occurring in the presence of stimuli similar to but different from training stimuli (Correct answer)
- Learning a new behavior from scratch
- Responding to the same stimulus in different ways
Correct answer: Behavior occurring in the presence of stimuli similar to but different from training stimuli
Stimulus generalization occurs when a learned behavior occurs in the presence of stimuli that are similar to but not identical to the original training stimulus.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes response generalization?
- The same response occurring across different settings
- Different responses that produce the same functional outcome (Correct answer)
- A decrease in behavior over time
- Behavior occurring only during structured sessions
Correct answer: Different responses that produce the same functional outcome
Response generalization occurs when an individual performs different but functionally equivalent responses that were not specifically trained.
Question 3: What is maintenance in applied behavior analysis?
- The process of teaching new skills in a structured setting
- The continuation of a behavior after intervention has been reduced or removed (Correct answer)
- A type of differential reinforcement schedule
- A data collection method used during skill acquisition
Correct answer: The continuation of a behavior after intervention has been reduced or removed
Maintenance refers to the persistence of learned behavior over time even after systematic intervention has been faded or discontinued.
Question 4: Multiple exemplar training is used primarily to:
- Decrease the frequency of problem behaviors
- Promote generalization by teaching across various examples of a stimulus or response class (Correct answer)
- Establish a baseline measurement before intervention begins
- Implement a variable ratio reinforcement schedule
Correct answer: Promote generalization by teaching across various examples of a stimulus or response class
Multiple exemplar training involves teaching a behavior across many different examples or variations to promote generalization to untrained stimuli and responses.
Question 5: Programming common stimuli is a generalization strategy that involves:
- Using the same reinforcer across all skill acquisition programs
- Incorporating into training the stimuli that are likely to be present in the natural environment (Correct answer)
- Reducing the number of discrete trials per session
- Using only physical prompts during skill training
Correct answer: Incorporating into training the stimuli that are likely to be present in the natural environment
Programming common stimuli involves including in training the same stimuli that exist in the natural environment to facilitate transfer of skills.
Question 6: An RBT notices that a child uses a skill correctly during therapy but not at home or school. This indicates a problem with:
- Skill acquisition
- Behavioral fluency
- Generalization (Correct answer)
- Shaping procedures
Correct answer: Generalization
When a skill is learned in one setting but fails to transfer to other settings or conditions, this represents a failure of generalization.
Question 7: Which of the following is an example of 'teaching loosely'?
- Using the same reinforcer for every training trial
- Varying non-essential aspects of training such as materials, location, and trainer (Correct answer)
- Providing massed practice exclusively in one structured setting
- Using a fixed ratio schedule throughout the entire program
Correct answer: Varying non-essential aspects of training such as materials, location, and trainer
Teaching loosely involves intentionally varying non-essential aspects of the training environment to help the learner generalize to novel situations.
RBT Generalization and Maintenance 1
What is stimulus generalization?