RBT RBT Skill Acquisition and Training 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of reinforcement schedule is most effective for initially teaching a new skill?
- Fixed ratio schedule
- Variable ratio schedule
- Continuous reinforcement schedule (Correct answer)
- Variable interval schedule
Correct answer: Continuous reinforcement schedule
Continuous reinforcement (CRF), where every correct response is reinforced, is most effective during the initial acquisition phase of skill teaching.
Question 2: A learner is being taught to identify animals. The RBT presents a picture of a dog and asks 'What is this?' The picture of the dog is the:
- Response
- Reinforcer
- Discriminative stimulus (SD) (Correct answer)
- Consequence
Correct answer: Discriminative stimulus (SD)
The picture of the dog serves as the discriminative stimulus (SD) that signals the opportunity for reinforcement when the correct response is given.
Question 3: When implementing 'total task presentation,' the RBT:
- Teaches only the first step until mastery, then adds subsequent steps
- Teaches only the last step until mastery, then adds prior steps
- Prompts and reinforces all steps of the task analysis in every session (Correct answer)
- Teaches the easiest steps first regardless of sequence
Correct answer: Prompts and reinforces all steps of the task analysis in every session
In total task presentation, the learner goes through all steps of the task analysis in every session, receiving prompts and reinforcement throughout.
Question 4: An RBT notices a learner is becoming frustrated during a skill acquisition session. The most appropriate immediate action is to:
- End the session immediately and report to the BCBA
- Continue with the same trials to build frustration tolerance
- Provide an easier demand or a preferred activity to reduce frustration before continuing (Correct answer)
- Increase the reinforcement schedule without modifying the task
Correct answer: Provide an easier demand or a preferred activity to reduce frustration before continuing
Briefly providing an easier task or preferred activity (an 'interspersal' strategy) can reduce frustration and help the learner re-engage with more challenging tasks.
Question 5: Generalization across settings means a learner can perform a skill:
- Only in the therapy clinic
- In multiple environments beyond where it was originally taught (Correct answer)
- Faster than when first learning it
- With fewer prompts than during initial training
Correct answer: In multiple environments beyond where it was originally taught
Generalization across settings (stimulus generalization) occurs when a learned skill is performed correctly in environments other than the original training setting.
Question 6: What is the purpose of using 'least-to-most' prompting hierarchy?
- To start with the most intrusive prompt and fade to independence
- To start with the least intrusive prompt and increase support only if needed (Correct answer)
- To provide all prompts simultaneously on every trial
- To skip prompting entirely and rely on natural cues
Correct answer: To start with the least intrusive prompt and increase support only if needed
Least-to-most prompting starts with the minimal prompt level and escalates only when the learner does not respond, promoting independence from the start.
Question 7: An RBT is using naturalistic teaching (NET) to teach requesting. The primary difference from DTT is that NET:
- Never uses reinforcement
- Uses contrived settings and structured trials only
- Embeds teaching within naturally occurring activities and the learner's motivation (Correct answer)
- Requires the learner to complete 10 trials before receiving reinforcement
Correct answer: Embeds teaching within naturally occurring activities and the learner's motivation
Naturalistic teaching capitalizes on the learner's natural motivation and embeds skill instruction within everyday activities and routines.
RBT RBT Skill Acquisition and Training 5
Which type of reinforcement schedule is most effective for initially teaching a new skill?