BCBA Online Practice Questions and Answers

Speed, magnitude, durability and generality of effect are some of the MOST important

A. dimensions of behavior that lend themselves to quantification more readily than others.

B. variables that are overlooked by other social sciences in solving problems.

C. variables to consider when selecting reinforcers and punishers.

D. components of treatment packages used in treating the most severe behavior problems.

Susan recorded data on a student's fidgeting behavior in the following way: She divided a 10-minute recording period into 10-second intervals and recorded in each interval a "+" if the target behavior occurred at least once. The percentage of intervals of target behavior occurrence was about 45%. The data resulting are most likely to be an

A. accurate measure of inter-response times.

B. inaccurate measure of inter-response times.

C. overestimate of the occurrence of the behavior.

D. underestimate of the occurrence of the behavior.

Manipulating a students chair in a classroom setting to avoid distraction fro the window is an example of a manipulation of a

A. Context variable

B. Antecedent variable

C. Confounding variable

D. Ecological variable

A teacher says: "Everyone, you have math homework tonight. Tomorrow, I will draw a name from a hat. If that person has completed his or her homework and remembered to bring it back to school, everyone will get extra recess." What type of group contingency is this?

A. This is not a group contingency

B. Independent group contingency

C. Interdependent group contingency

D. Dependent group contingency

Observation sessions should be scheduled so that the representativeness of the data can be maximized. Considering behaviors occurring in a school setting, which of the following options is consistent with this recommendation?

A. Behaviors are given letter-codes that represent the complete topographical definition of the behaviors, e.g., "on-task academic behavior" is represented by "O" on the recording sheet.

B. Observations should be made only when the behavior is likely to occur most frequently during a day, for instance, during a particular academic class.

C. Recordings of behavior during the whole school day may be needed initially to assess the representativeness of samples within the day.

D. Representativeness can be assured by scheduling observations in sessions of 60 minutes or more in the morning and afternoon school schedule.

In order to obtain the GREATEST increase in the value of an identified reinforcer after satiation has occurred, the behavior analyst shoulD.

A. deliver the reinforcer non-contingently.

B. reduce the magnitude of the reinforcer.

C. thin the schedule of reinforcement.

D. temporarily remove the reinforcer.

Providing a complete description of one's procedures in a behavior analytic study of classroom management techniques is adhering to which dimensions of behavior analysis?

A. Conceptually systematic

B. Applied

C. Technological

D. Analytic

Describing behavior program procedures in terms of the basic principles of behavior is adhering to which dimension of behavior analysis?

A. Conceptually systematic

B. Applied

C. Technological

D. Analytic

A study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of time-out for physical aggression. The time-out procedure would be considered the:

A. baseline measure.

B. dependent variable.

C. independent variable.

D. response measure.

A behavior analyst is working with an adult client, who is deemed competent. There are multiple potential behavior targets that need to be addressed including smoking cigarettes, nail biting, and compulsive hand washing. As a first goal, the behavior analyst wants the client to focus on eliminating smoking but the client would prefer to focus on nail biting. The behavior analyst shoulD.

A. develop a self-management plan for eliminating nail biting as this is the preference of the client.

B. develop a self-management plan for eliminating smoking as this behavior poses a serious health risk for the client.

C. convince the client to change their first goal to elimination of smoking.

D. refer the client to another behavior analyst as there is a discrepancy in goal setting priorities.

Tommy is looking at a photo album with his dad. He looks at his dad and then points to a picture of his mom and says, "Mommy." This is an example oF.

A. a tact.

B. transitivity.

C. receptive language.

D. matching to sample.

Considering the potential impact of behavioral contrast, what is a likely outcome when there is an effective program targeting compliance at school when no formal program is implemented at home? Compliance at home would be predicted to:

A. be more variable.

B. decrease.

C. increase.

D. stay the same.

Clifford's lawn work is steady and up to standard as long as his work is verbally praised approximately every twelfth completed mower circuit. However, at times the crew chief is unable to praise his work at that moment. When praise is not forthcoming, Clifford usually stops working. The best way to facilitate maintenance and generalization of Clifford's work, using a self-management technique, would be to:

A. have fellow workers provide praise when Clifford stops working.

B. have the crew chief use a variable schedule of reinforcement.

C. increase the delay in reinforcement until the afternoon.

D. teach Clifford how to request reinforcement for the target behavior.

Unwanted side-effects associated with the use of an extinction procedure are MOST likely to appear:

A. immediately after the extinction burst.

B. after the individual realizes that the procedure will be implemented consistently.

C. when ratio schedules are increased too rapidly.

D. shortly after the procedure is first implemented.

Which of the following is most likely an example of reinforcing consequences?

A. A company gives an annual bonus to its employees. Employees are happy.

B. Law enforcement officer gives a ticket to a speeder. Driver stops speeding.

C. Child loses a sticker each time they talk out in class. Rates of talking out decrease.

D. Student is sent to detention for fighting. Student is found in detention every week.