ABAT ABAT Reinforcement Systems and Token Economies 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which schedule of reinforcement produces the highest and most consistent rate of responding?
- Fixed ratio
- Variable ratio (Correct answer)
- Fixed interval
- Variable interval
Correct answer: Variable ratio
Variable ratio schedules produce the highest and most consistent rates of responding because reinforcement is unpredictable, making extinction more resistant.
Question 2: In a token economy, tokens are best described as:
- Primary reinforcers
- Conditioned reinforcers (Correct answer)
- Unconditioned reinforcers
- Natural reinforcers
Correct answer: Conditioned reinforcers
Tokens are conditioned (secondary) reinforcers that have acquired reinforcing value through pairing with backup reinforcers.
Question 3: What is 'reinforcer satiation'?
- When a reinforcer is withheld too long
- When the reinforcer loses effectiveness due to over-exposure (Correct answer)
- When a learner refuses all reinforcers
- When reinforcement is delivered noncontingently
Correct answer: When the reinforcer loses effectiveness due to over-exposure
Reinforcer satiation occurs when a stimulus loses its reinforcing value because the learner has had too much access to it.
Question 4: Which of the following best defines a 'differential reinforcement of other behavior' (DRO) schedule?
- Reinforcing any behavior except the target behavior (Correct answer)
- Reinforcing a specific alternative behavior
- Reinforcing behavior at a lower rate
- Reinforcing behavior only during certain times
Correct answer: Reinforcing any behavior except the target behavior
DRO delivers reinforcement when the target problem behavior has not occurred for a specified time interval.
Question 5: A 'response cost' procedure involves:
- Removing a positive reinforcer contingent on behavior (Correct answer)
- Adding an aversive stimulus after behavior
- Requiring effort to earn reinforcement
- Delivering reinforcement on a fixed schedule
Correct answer: Removing a positive reinforcer contingent on behavior
Response cost is a form of negative punishment where a specified amount of a positive reinforcer is removed following the target behavior.
Question 6: In a token economy, the 'backup reinforcer' refers to:
- The token itself
- The item or activity exchanged for tokens (Correct answer)
- The system rules posted in the classroom
- The behavior being reinforced
Correct answer: The item or activity exchanged for tokens
Backup reinforcers are the actual items or activities that tokens can be exchanged for, giving tokens their conditioned value.
ABAT ABAT Reinforcement Systems and Token Economies 1
Which schedule of reinforcement produces the highest and most consistent rate of responding?