ABAT - Applied Behavior Analysis Behavior Reduction Interventions Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior (DRI) involves reinforcing a behavior that:
- Reduces the overall rate of responding
- Cannot occur simultaneously with the target problem behavior (Correct answer)
- Occurs in a different setting than the problem behavior
- Requires fewer responses per reinforcer
Correct answer: Cannot occur simultaneously with the target problem behavior
In DRI, the replacement behavior is physically incompatible with the problem behavior — both cannot occur at the same time.
DRI reinforces a response that is topographically incompatible with the problem behavior. For example, keeping hands flat on the desk (incompatible with hitting) is reinforced during a work session. Because both behaviors cannot occur simultaneously, increasing the incompatible behavior necessarily decreases the problem behavior. DRI is considered more restrictive than DRA (differential reinforcement of alternative behavior) because the replacement behavior is selected for its incompatibility rather than its functional equivalence.
Question 2: An extinction burst occurs when:
- A behavior increases temporarily after reinforcement is withheld (Correct answer)
- A behavior decreases rapidly after punishment is applied
- Reinforcement is provided on a variable interval schedule
- A new behavior is established through shaping
Correct answer: A behavior increases temporarily after reinforcement is withheld
When reinforcement is first withdrawn (extinction), the behavior often increases in frequency, intensity, or duration before declining — this is the extinction burst.
Extinction involves withholding the reinforcer that maintains a behavior. Initially, the behavior may temporarily increase (extinction burst) before decreasing. The burst can include increases in rate, intensity, or duration, and may include emotional responses such as aggression or crying. Understanding extinction bursts is critical for BTs and BCBAs to anticipate during intervention implementation, as inconsistent reinforcement during a burst can place the behavior on a more persistent reinforcement schedule.
Question 3: Response cost is a form of punishment that involves:
- Delivering an aversive stimulus after the behavior
- Removing a specified amount of a previously earned reinforcer contingent on the behavior (Correct answer)
- Removing access to all reinforcers for a brief period
- Blocking the response before it can occur
Correct answer: Removing a specified amount of a previously earned reinforcer contingent on the behavior
Response cost removes a predetermined quantity of a reinforcer (e.g., tokens) contingent on the problem behavior, decreasing that behavior's future frequency.
Response cost is a negative punishment procedure in which a specified amount of a conditioned reinforcer (tokens, points, privileges) is removed contingent on an undesired behavior. For response cost to be effective, the learner must have access to tokens or points to lose, and the amount removed must be meaningful but not so large as to result in a zero balance. Response cost is commonly used in token economy systems and has strong empirical support for reducing disruptive classroom behaviors.
Question 4: Time-out from positive reinforcement differs from exclusionary time-out and non-exclusionary time-out in that:
- Exclusionary time-out removes the learner from the reinforcing environment, while non-exclusionary time-out keeps them in the setting but removes access to reinforcers (Correct answer)
- Non-exclusionary time-out involves social isolation in a separate room
- Both procedures deliver aversive stimuli
- Exclusionary time-out is always preferred over non-exclusionary
Correct answer: Exclusionary time-out removes the learner from the reinforcing environment, while non-exclusionary time-out keeps them in the setting but removes access to reinforcers
Exclusionary time-out removes the learner from the reinforcing environment; non-exclusionary time-out removes reinforcement while the learner remains in the setting.
Time-out from positive reinforcement is a negative punishment procedure. Non-exclusionary time-out keeps the learner in the environment but removes access to reinforcers (e.g., turning away, contingent observation). Exclusionary time-out removes the learner from the reinforcing environment (e.g., moving to a chair outside the activity area or to a separate room). Seclusion time-out (locked room) is considered the most restrictive and requires special oversight. Least-restrictive alternatives should always be considered first.
Question 5: For extinction to be effective in reducing problem behavior, what condition is essential?
- The behavior must be on a fixed ratio schedule prior to extinction
- The reinforcer maintaining the behavior must be withheld consistently every time the behavior occurs (Correct answer)
- Punishment must be paired with extinction simultaneously
- The learner must understand the rule change verbally
Correct answer: The reinforcer maintaining the behavior must be withheld consistently every time the behavior occurs
Consistent withholding of the maintaining reinforcer on every occurrence of the behavior is critical; intermittent extinction makes the behavior more resistant to reduction.
Extinction requires that the reinforcer that previously maintained the behavior be withheld each and every time the behavior occurs. If extinction is applied inconsistently (the reinforcer is withheld most of the time but occasionally delivered), an intermittent schedule is inadvertently created, which makes the behavior more resistant to extinction (the partial reinforcement extinction effect). Functional assessment identifying the maintaining reinforcer is a prerequisite for effective extinction.
Question 6: Which behavior reduction strategy involves systematically teaching acceptable ways to obtain the same function as the problem behavior?
- Extinction
- Functional Communication Training (FCT) (Correct answer)
- Overcorrection
- Satiation
Correct answer: Functional Communication Training (FCT)
FCT teaches a communicative alternative that produces the same reinforcer as the problem behavior, making the problem behavior less necessary.
Functional Communication Training (FCT) is a differential reinforcement strategy that replaces problem behavior with a functionally equivalent communicative response. After a functional behavior assessment identifies the maintaining reinforcer (attention, escape, tangibles, sensory), the learner is taught to request that reinforcer using words, signs, PECS, or AAC devices. The problem behavior is simultaneously placed on extinction. FCT is one of the most evidence-based behavior reduction strategies, particularly for individuals with ASD and limited communication skills.
ABAT - Applied Behavior Analysis Behavior Reduction Interventions Questions and Answers 2
Differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior (DRI) involves reinforcing a behavior that: