ABA Behavior Reduction and Ethics 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Before implementing any behavior reduction procedure, a BCBA MUST first:
- Ensure that appropriate reinforcement-based interventions have been considered (Correct answer)
- Apply the most restrictive procedure available
- Conduct a preference assessment only
- Obtain medication from a prescriber
Correct answer: Ensure that appropriate reinforcement-based interventions have been considered
Ethical ABA practice requires exhausting or considering reinforcement-based and less restrictive alternatives before implementing behavior reduction procedures.
Question 2: A function-based intervention matches the treatment to:
- The maintaining consequence identified in the functional behavior assessment (Correct answer)
- The topography of the target behavior
- The learner's chronological age
- The severity of the problem behavior alone
Correct answer: The maintaining consequence identified in the functional behavior assessment
Function-based interventions are designed to address the specific reinforcing consequence (attention, escape, tangible, sensory) that maintains the behavior.
Question 3: Extinction involves:
- Discontinuing the reinforcement that has been maintaining a behavior (Correct answer)
- Delivering punishment after every occurrence of the target behavior
- Reinforcing the absence of a behavior
- Blocking access to the behavior physically
Correct answer: Discontinuing the reinforcement that has been maintaining a behavior
Extinction is the withholding of reinforcement that previously followed a behavior, which over time leads to a reduction in that behavior's frequency.
Question 4: An extinction burst refers to:
- A temporary increase in behavior rate, intensity, or variability when extinction is first implemented (Correct answer)
- A rapid decrease in behavior during the first extinction session
- The elimination of behavior within the first two sessions
- A sudden increase in a different, appropriate behavior
Correct answer: A temporary increase in behavior rate, intensity, or variability when extinction is first implemented
An extinction burst is a common side effect where the target behavior initially increases in frequency, duration, or intensity before it begins to decrease under extinction.
Question 5: Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) involves:
- Reinforcing a specific alternative behavior while placing the problem behavior on extinction (Correct answer)
- Reinforcing any behavior other than the problem behavior
- Reinforcing low rates of the problem behavior
- Reducing reinforcement for all behaviors simultaneously
Correct answer: Reinforcing a specific alternative behavior while placing the problem behavior on extinction
DRA reinforces a designated appropriate alternative behavior and withholds reinforcement for the problem behavior, making the alternative more efficient than the problem behavior.
Question 6: Which BACB ethical code requires BCBAs to obtain informed consent before beginning services?
- 2.09 — Informed Consent (Correct answer)
- 1.04 — Integrity
- 3.01 — Behavior-Analytic Assessment
- 5.01 — Supervisory Competence
Correct answer: 2.09 — Informed Consent
BACB Ethics Code section 2.09 requires BCBAs to explain the nature of services, risks, benefits, and alternatives to clients and obtain informed consent prior to initiating services.
ABA Behavior Reduction and Ethics 1
Before implementing any behavior reduction procedure, a BCBA MUST first: