Behavioral Assessment Methods and Techniques

Questions and Answers

What is the most appropriate course of action for a person who has never worked with a child diagnosed with traumatic brain injury before?

Accept the referral and proceed.

Conduct extensive research before accepting.

Consult with a more experienced colleague.

Politely decline the referral. (correct)

What should Donald work on regarding his BCBA exam performance?

Increasing his interresponse time.

What is the main purpose of collecting interobserver agreement data?

To increase the believability of data.

What type of preference assessment is conducted when presenting two options?

A paired-stimuli preference assessment. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is most likely impacting the reliability of a data collection procedure?

Reactivity. Signup and view all the answers

What is the problem with implementing a planned ignoring procedure for a client who elopes for attention?

An extinction burst could result in serious injury or death. Signup and view all the answers

What type of stimulus equivalence involves a learner responding correctly without prior training?

Transitivity. Signup and view all the answers

What is likely the reason Wendy uses polite manners at home but not at school?

Poor stimulus generalization. Signup and view all the answers

What should a behavior analyst do when physical aggression data collection shows no occurrences for several days?

Continue to collect baseline data. Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate goal of intraverbal training?

The intraverbal becomes evoked by a verbal stimulus and is reinforced with generalized conditioned reinforcers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate goal of tact training?

The tact becomes evoked by a nonverbal stimulus and is reinforced by generalized conditioned reinforcement. Signup and view all the answers

What is the behavior of a child who responds correctly to a mother's prompt to say 'Elephant'?

An intraverbal. Signup and view all the answers

What type of procedure can be used to encourage a child to use polite requests at school?

A functionally-appropriate replacement behavior. Signup and view all the answers

A changing criterion experimental design would be MOST beneficial for ___ behavior.

helping a client reduce his echolalia. Signup and view all the answers

A behavior analyst is using a partial-interval recording method to see if her client will sit down during class. Each interval is 5 minutes long and there are 12 total intervals. If he never sat in his seat during the entire hour, then he _____.

did not sit down Signup and view all the answers

If a target behavior occurs at high rates during the play condition of a functional assessment, the behavior's function is likely:

Automatic Signup and view all the answers

What is Vick's overall free throw percentage from these 3 days?

64% Signup and view all the answers

What is the most appropriate response for Jebb regarding the car?

I apologize. But according to the ethical code that I have to follow, I cannot work on your car since I already provide behavioral support services for your family. Signup and view all the answers

The LEAST effective method out of those you are considering for determining whether a particular stimulus will or will not function as a reinforcer for your client is ___________.

A multiple-stimuli preference assessment Signup and view all the answers

When should you obtain consent from a guardian?

before changing an intervention goal. Signup and view all the answers

What method is MOST likely being used by the therapist to promote stimulus generalization?

Training loosely Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a stimulus avoidance punisher assessment?

A BCBA first presents items non-contingently and records how often the client moves away. Signup and view all the answers

What type of punisher is demonstrated when scolding a worker for cellphone use?

Positive punisher Signup and view all the answers

What type of guidance is used when a therapist follows the child's hand movements to assist in completing tasks?

Graduated guidance Signup and view all the answers

What should a therapist do prior to the target behavior occurring during the contingent attention phase of a functional analysis?

The therapist should be in the same room but withhold attention. Signup and view all the answers

Who determines the social validity of an intervention created by a behavior analyst?

Community members Signup and view all the answers

Which problem behavior of a client should be addressed immediately?

Visual self-stimulatory behavior of looking up at the ceiling lights. Signup and view all the answers

In the situation where a child prefers a picture book at the play area, what can be confirmed about the book?

It is a stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What method of stimulus generalization is being used when teaching a client to exchange bills only before involving peers?

Programming common stimuli Signup and view all the answers

What can you do to increase Tony's motivation in the token economy?

Add a highly motivating item to the selection of backup reinforcers Signup and view all the answers

What measurement procedure would best be used to increase Quinton's underwater breath-holding time?

Whole-interval recording Signup and view all the answers

How often should interobserver agreement (IOA) data be collected?

Around one-third of the time and at least once per experimental phase. Signup and view all the answers

The procedure her parents used for her morning routine was a ___________.

contingency contract Signup and view all the answers

What type of preference assessment did the teacher conduct?

Paired-stimuli preference assessment Signup and view all the answers

What kind of experimental design was used when multiple treatments were evaluated consecutively?

A multiple treatment reversal design. Signup and view all the answers

What statement is true regarding the intervention for the client's offensive language?

None of the above. Signup and view all the answers

What is the most effective way Sally can help decrease her client's frequency of fire-alarm-pulling?

Provide a dense schedule of reinforcement for appropriate responses. Signup and view all the answers

What insights can a functional behavior assessment provide for a behavior analyst?

It can indicate if an intervention is effective, which interventions might worsen behavior, and the function of the target behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What are the limitations of a reversal experimental design?

They include the potential for reduction in skills and ethical concerns. Signup and view all the answers

What does Jerry need to work on to avoid disqualification in sprint competitions?

None of the above Signup and view all the answers

When will you know that a targeted behavior no longer needs intervention?

When the target behavior occurs at a frequency similar to the client's typically developing peers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the most appropriate response a behavior analyst should make when a learner responds incorrectly?

Immediately remove the sample stimulus and comparison stimuli and start another trial. Signup and view all the answers

What teaching method is the school teacher using if she utilizes a scripted teaching style?

Direct Instruction Signup and view all the answers

During what conditions should the behavior analyst provide attention before the target behavior occurs?

Play condition and escape conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a function-based operational definition for gaining a peer's attention?

Saying, 'Hello', waving, tapping on a peer's shoulder, or any behavior that results in gaining eye contact. Signup and view all the answers

Which differential reinforcement procedure would be best for decreasing the request to go to the playground?

DRL Signup and view all the answers

What function-based intervention is likely most effective for reducing headbutting behavior?

Non-contingent negative reinforcement. Signup and view all the answers

What type of stimulus equivalence is demonstrated when Jill learns to wave after being taught to say 'Salut'?

Symmetry Signup and view all the answers

Which reinforcement schedules are characterized as NOT having a post-reinforcement pause?

Variable-interval Signup and view all the answers

For tracking an employee's attendance, which record would be most appropriate?

A cumulative record. Signup and view all the answers

How should corrective feedback be provided to a behavior therapist after observing a minor mistake?

Provide immediate praise for performance that was correct and address flaws later. Signup and view all the answers

What is the rate at which the cashier says ‘thank you for shopping with us today’?

40 instances per hour. Signup and view all the answers

What is Jill's profession?

Behavior analyst. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Behavioral Assessment Methods

Partial-interval recording is employed to assess if a client remains seated; if not, this indicates the behavior did not occur in the designated time frame.
High rates of behavior occurrence during play conditions suggest an automatic function of the behavior.

Behavior Measurement and Interventions

Vick's overall free throw percentage over three days is calculated at 64%, highlighting the need for effective tracking of progress in skills.
Consent from a guardian should be obtained before modifying an intervention goal to maintain ethical standards.

Stimulus Generalization Techniques

The method of training loosely assists in promoting behavior generalization by intentionally varying non-critical aspects of a stimulus.
Programming common stimuli involves familiarizing clients with real-world settings before conducting tasks in actual scenarios.

Functional Analysis and Operational Definitions

During functional analysis, therapists should engage in activities while withholding attention prior to the occurrence of target behaviors.
A function-based operational definition helps specify behaviors aimed at gaining peer attention, such as saying "Hello" or tapping a peer.

Differential Reinforcement and Behavior Modification

Differential Reinforcement of Low Rates (DRL) is recommended to decrease excessive asking behaviors, aiding in managing requests for playground visits.
Non-contingent negative reinforcement can effectively reduce escape-maintained behaviors, such as headbutting in young children.

Evaluation of Interventions

Social validity of interventions is determined by community feedback, ensuring that behavioral goals align with societal standards.
Limiting the use of reversal designs is crucial due to potential risks in practical settings.

Data Collection and Analysis

Interobserver agreement (IOA) is crucial for bolstering data credibility, collected frequently to ensure measurement accuracy.
Cumulative records effectively track binary behaviors (e.g., attendance) over time, facilitating clear visual representation of data trends.

Teaching Methods and Learning

Direct Instruction involves scripted teaching that minimizes deviations from lesson plans while proving effective in skill dissemination.
Immediate corrective feedback aids in skill mastery, emphasizing both praise for correct parts and guidance for areas needing improvement.

Behavioral Challenges and Responses

When clients demonstrate significant behavioral issues (e.g., aggression, elopement), identifying functions and creating appropriate interventions is essential.
Analyzing the function of negative behaviors can inform better interventions that target underlying needs rather than just the surface behavior.

Preference Assessments

Paired-stimuli preference assessments help determine individual preferences between two options, guiding effective reinforcement strategies.
Understanding preference assessments assists in tailoring interventions that resonate with clients, enhancing engagement and compliance.

Ethical Considerations and Professional Conduct

Behavior analysts must adhere to ethical guidelines, refraining from engaging in dual relationships or unforeseen areas of practice beyond their expertise.
When faced with new challenges, professionals should seek assistance or respectfully decline inappropriate referrals to maintain service quality.### Behavior Analysis Procedures
Planned ignoring may lead to an extinction burst, which could cause serious injury or death if not carefully managed.
Functionally appropriate replacement behaviors must be taught to effectively gain attention, rather than relying solely on extinction.

Stimulus Equivalence

The scenario involving a learner recognizing a picture, saying "guitar," and writing "G-U-I-T-A-R" indicates transitivity in stimulus equivalence.

Generalization Issues

Poor stimulus generalization occurs when learned polite manners at home (saying "please" and "thank you") do not transfer to the school environment.

Tacting

Understanding that the ability to tact (label) toy apples implies potential other teachable skills, but the precise other labels cannot be determined without further training.

Medication Changes and Self-Injurious Behavior

A significant increase in self-injurious behavior following a medication change prompts the behavior analyst to monitor closely rather than immediately assume the new medication is ineffective.

Experimental Designs

An alternating treatments design allows comparison of interventions without extensive baseline data collection, particularly when client safety is a concern.

Personalized System of Instruction (PSI)

PSI allows students to learn at their own pace, potentially reducing frustration and enhancing engagement.

Imitation and Modeling

In an example with a dog, the behavior of mimicking a dog on screen demonstrates unplanned modeling, where the pet dog imitates observed behavior.

Data Collection Methods

Bill tracking rainfall demonstrates systematic data collection, as he consistently records and discards data daily.
A multiple probe design is preferred when ongoing baseline data collection is impractical, thus providing flexibility in data-driven intervention processes.

Experimental Analysis and Behavior Modification

Research into effective interventions for severe behaviors depends on collecting treatment integrity while adapting and innovating methods based on effectiveness.
Behavior analysts utilize methods aiming to evoke responses through verbal stimuli (intraverbal training) and nonverbal stimuli (tact training).

Functional Behavior Assessment Methods

Functional assessments can be conducted through direct assessments, indirect assessments, and functional analyses, with functional analyses being applicable to tantrum behaviors.

Reinforcement and Token Economies

Token economies are most effective when teaching behaviors, such as prompting students to request permissions consistently.

Procedures and Assessment Types

Using forced choice preference assessments helps in identifying preferred stimuli to serve as reinforcers.
Behavior analysts can advise clients to follow prescribed medication regimens unless instructed otherwise by medical professionals.

Observational Recording Techniques

Whole-interval recording underestimates behavior duration, while partial-interval recording can either underestimate frequency or overestimate duration based on methodology.

Interventions and Contracts

Contingency contracts create structured reward systems where specific behavior completion yields a defined reward, fostering accountability and motivation.

Ethical Considerations in Behavior Management

Effective behavior management must balance reinforcement and punishment, favoring positive reinforcement techniques before introducing punitive measures.

Ramifications of Punishment

The use of punishment may have undesirable side effects, such as teaching alternative reinforcement-seeking behaviors, emphasizing the need for careful application in behavior analysis practices.

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Description

Explore various behavioral assessment methods and measurement techniques in this quiz. Examine concepts such as partial-interval recording, stimulus generalization, and ethical standards in interventions. Ideal for students seeking to understand behavior analysis better.