ABAT - Applied Behavior Analysis Core ABA Principles Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best defines negative reinforcement in Applied Behavior Analysis?
- Presenting an aversive stimulus to decrease a behavior.
- Removing a desirable stimulus to decrease a behavior.
- Removing an aversive stimulus to increase a behavior. (Correct answer)
- Presenting a desirable stimulus to increase a behavior.
Correct answer: Removing an aversive stimulus to increase a behavior.
Negative reinforcement involves the removal, termination, or avoidance of an aversive (unpleasant) stimulus following a behavior, which leads to an increase in the future frequency of that behavior. It is 'negative' because a stimulus is removed, and 'reinforcement' because the behavior increases.
Question 2: A child typically screams to get their parent's attention. The parent decides to stop responding to the screaming. The principle being applied is known as:
- Positive Punishment
- Negative Reinforcement
- Shaping
- Extinction (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Extinction
Extinction is the process of discontinuing reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior, resulting in a decrease in that behavior. In this scenario, attention was the reinforcer for screaming, and by withholding it, the parent is applying extinction.
Question 3: An ABAT is teaching a client to wash their hands. The ABAT describes each step (turn on water, get soap, rub hands, etc.) in a clear, written protocol so that any other therapist could implement the procedure exactly the same way. Which of the seven dimensions of ABA does this most clearly represent?
- Applied
- Analytic
- Technological (Correct answer)
- Generality
Correct answer: Technological
The 'Technological' dimension of ABA requires that procedures are described with sufficient detail and clarity so that they can be replicated by others. A clear, step-by-step written protocol for handwashing exemplifies this principle.
Question 4: Every time a green card is presented, a student is reinforced for touching their nose. When a red card is presented, they are not reinforced. Over time, the student reliably touches their nose only when the green card is shown. The green card has become a(n):
- Unconditioned reinforcer
- Discriminative stimulus (SD) (Correct answer)
- Extinction burst
- Negative punisher
Correct answer: Discriminative stimulus (SD)
A discriminative stimulus (SD) is a stimulus in the presence of which a particular response will be reinforced. The green card signals that reinforcement is available for touching the nose, thus it has gained stimulus control over that behavior.
Question 5: Which of the following is a core principle of ABA focused on ensuring that interventions target behaviors that are socially significant and important to the individual's life?
- Conceptually Systematic
- Behavioral
- Effective
- Applied (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Applied
The 'Applied' dimension of ABA emphasizes that the behaviors targeted for change must be socially significant, meaning they are important to the individual and those around them, and improve their quality of life.
Question 6: A therapist gives a client a high-five and verbal praise immediately after the client correctly identifies a picture of a cat. As a result, the client is more likely to identify the cat correctly in the future. This is an example of:
- Positive Reinforcement (Correct answer)
- Negative Reinforcement
- Positive Punishment
- Extinction
Correct answer: Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement involves adding a desirable stimulus (in this case, a high-five and praise) immediately following a behavior, which results in an increase in the future likelihood of that behavior.
ABAT - Applied Behavior Analysis Core ABA Principles Questions and Answers 1
Which of the following best defines negative reinforcement in Applied Behavior Analysis?