EDF6226 Exam 1 | Applied Behavior Analysis | Latest 2026/2027 Update | Questions & Answers with Rationales | Grade A | Verified Solutions | Guaranteed Pass
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT - EXAM
EDF6226 Exam 1
Applied Behavior Analysis
Latest 2026/2027 Update
Questions & Answers
with Rationales | Grade A
Verified Solutions | Guaranteed Pass
A+ Verified | 2026/2027 Edition | Passing Score: 80%
COVER PAGE - 1
,SECTIONS COVERED
Section 1: Basic Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
Section 2: Behavioral Assessment and Measurement
Section 3: Antecedent and Consequence Interventions
Section 4: Skill Acquisition and Behavior Reduction
Section 5: Ethical Considerations and Professional Practice
Section 1: Basic Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
Q1.
A behavior analyst is working with a 6-year-old child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who frequently engages in
hand-flapping when excited. The analyst explains to the parents that hand-flapping in this context may serve an automatic
reinforcement function. What does the term automatic reinforcement refer to in the science of behavior analysis?
A. Behavior maintained by social attention or praise from others in the environment
B. Behavior maintained by sensory stimulation produced by the behavior itself
C. Behavior maintained by access to tangible items or preferred activities
D. Behavior maintained by escape from aversive demands or instructional tasks
Correct Answer: B
Automatic reinforcement refers to behavior that is maintained by sensory or proprioceptive stimulation produced directly by the response
itself, without any social mediation. Hand-flapping often provides proprioceptive or visual sensory feedback. Socially mediated
reinforcement involves another person delivering consequences, tangible reinforcement involves access to items, and negative
reinforcement involves escape or avoidance.
Q2.
A BCBA is conducting a functional behavior assessment and documents that each time a client completes a difficult math
problem, the teacher provides verbal praise. The student then increases the frequency of completing math problems. The
BCBA identifies this as an example of positive reinforcement. Which dimension of applied behavior analysis is most directly
demonstrated in this scenario?
A. The behavioral dimension focusing on directly observable and measurable events
B. The analytic dimension demonstrating a functional relationship between praise and behavior change
C. The applied dimension addressing socially significant goals for the learner
D. The conceptual dimension linking the intervention to basic behavioral principles
Correct Answer: D
The technological dimension of ABA requires that all procedures be described completely and precisely enough that another practitioner
could replicate the intervention. This ensures reproducibility and accountability in service delivery. The effective dimension requires
meaningful behavior change, the generality dimension requires lasting effects across settings, and the analytic dimension requires
experimental demonstration of a functional relationship.
Q3.
A graduate student is studying the concept of the respondent conditioning process and wants to differentiate it from operant
conditioning. The student learns that respondent behavior is elicited by antecedent stimuli, whereas operant behavior is
influenced by its consequences. A clinician pairs a neutral stimulus (a bell) with an unconditioned stimulus (a loud noise) until
the bell alone elicits a startle response. What type of conditioning procedure is being demonstrated?
A. Operant conditioning with positive reinforcement
B. Classical (respondent) conditioning
C. Operant extinction
D. Negative punishment
Correct Answer: C
Classical (respondent) conditioning involves pairing a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus until the neutral stimulus acquires
eliciting properties and becomes a conditioned stimulus. This process was first described by Ivan Pavlov. Operant conditioning involves
consequences affecting behavior frequency, extinction removes reinforcement, and punishment applies aversive consequences to
decrease behavior.
EDF6226 Exam 1 | Applied Behavior Analysis | Latest 2026/2027 Update | Questions... Page 2
, Q4.
A behavior analyst is explaining the concept of stimulus control to a classroom teacher. The teacher notices that students
begin sharpening their pencils whenever the analyst walks to the front of the room with a worksheet, even before any verbal
instruction is given. The analyst explains that the worksheet has become a discriminative stimulus. What does a discriminative
stimulus signal to the learner?
A. That a specific consequence will definitely occur regardless of the behavior emitted
B. That a particular response will be reinforced or punished given the current context
C. That the antecedent event has no relationship to the behavior that follows
D. That the learner should immediately stop the current activity and wait for instructions
Correct Answer: D
A discriminative stimulus signals that a particular response will be followed by reinforcement or a specific consequence given the current
context. It sets the occasion for the behavior to occur due to the learner's history of reinforcement. It does not guarantee a consequence
regardless of behavior.
Q5.
A parent asks a behavior analyst why her son continues to engage in tantrum behavior even though she stopped giving him
toys when he tantrums two weeks ago. The analyst explains that the behavior initially increased in frequency and intensity
before beginning to decrease. The analyst tells the parent that this temporary increase is an expected phenomenon. What is
the term for this temporary increase in responding when reinforcement is withheld?
A. Spontaneous recovery
B. Behavioral contrast effect
C. Extinction burst
D. Resurgence
Correct Answer: C
An extinction burst is a temporary increase in the frequency, intensity, or duration of a previously reinforced behavior when reinforcement
is no longer provided. It is one of the most commonly observed side effects of extinction. Spontaneous recovery is the reappearance of
an extinguished behavior after a rest period. Behavioral contrast refers to changes in one setting when reinforcement changes in
another. Resurgence is the reappearance of a previously extinguished behavior when a more recently reinforced behavior is
extinguished.
Q6.
A researcher conducts a study in which a tone is presented to a laboratory rat and is immediately followed by a brief electric
shock. After several pairings, the rat freezes when the tone is presented alone. The researcher then presents the tone
repeatedly without the shock, and the freezing response gradually diminishes. What process best describes the gradual
decrease in the conditioned response?
A. Operant extinction involving the removal of a maintaining reinforcer
B. Respondent extinction involving the repeated presentation of a CS without a US
C. Positive punishment involving the application of an aversive stimulus
D. Counterconditioning involving the pairing of a new response with the stimulus
Correct Answer: B
Respondent extinction occurs when a conditioned stimulus (the tone) is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus (the
shock), resulting in a gradual weakening and eventual disappearance of the conditioned response (freezing). Operant extinction involves
withholding reinforcement for a voluntary behavior. Positive punishment involves applying an aversive consequence to decrease
behavior. Counterconditioning involves establishing a new response to the stimulus.
Q7.
A BCBA is teaching a new behavior technician about the three-term contingency and its role in understanding behavior. The
technician is asked to identify the components of the three-term contingency in a scenario where a student is given a difficult
worksheet (antecedent), engages in off-task behavior, and is then sent to the principal's office (consequence). Which
component of the three-term contingency does the off-task behavior represent?
A. The motivating operation that increases the value of escape
B. The discriminative stimulus signaling that escape is available
C. The response (behavior) that is affected by environmental antecedents and consequences
D. The establishing operation that alters the effectiveness of the consequence
EDF6226 Exam 1 | Applied Behavior Analysis | Latest 2026/2027 Update | Questions... Page 3
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT - EXAM
EDF6226 Exam 1
Applied Behavior Analysis
Latest 2026/2027 Update
Questions & Answers
with Rationales | Grade A
Verified Solutions | Guaranteed Pass
A+ Verified | 2026/2027 Edition | Passing Score: 80%
COVER PAGE - 1
,SECTIONS COVERED
Section 1: Basic Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
Section 2: Behavioral Assessment and Measurement
Section 3: Antecedent and Consequence Interventions
Section 4: Skill Acquisition and Behavior Reduction
Section 5: Ethical Considerations and Professional Practice
Section 1: Basic Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
Q1.
A behavior analyst is working with a 6-year-old child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who frequently engages in
hand-flapping when excited. The analyst explains to the parents that hand-flapping in this context may serve an automatic
reinforcement function. What does the term automatic reinforcement refer to in the science of behavior analysis?
A. Behavior maintained by social attention or praise from others in the environment
B. Behavior maintained by sensory stimulation produced by the behavior itself
C. Behavior maintained by access to tangible items or preferred activities
D. Behavior maintained by escape from aversive demands or instructional tasks
Correct Answer: B
Automatic reinforcement refers to behavior that is maintained by sensory or proprioceptive stimulation produced directly by the response
itself, without any social mediation. Hand-flapping often provides proprioceptive or visual sensory feedback. Socially mediated
reinforcement involves another person delivering consequences, tangible reinforcement involves access to items, and negative
reinforcement involves escape or avoidance.
Q2.
A BCBA is conducting a functional behavior assessment and documents that each time a client completes a difficult math
problem, the teacher provides verbal praise. The student then increases the frequency of completing math problems. The
BCBA identifies this as an example of positive reinforcement. Which dimension of applied behavior analysis is most directly
demonstrated in this scenario?
A. The behavioral dimension focusing on directly observable and measurable events
B. The analytic dimension demonstrating a functional relationship between praise and behavior change
C. The applied dimension addressing socially significant goals for the learner
D. The conceptual dimension linking the intervention to basic behavioral principles
Correct Answer: D
The technological dimension of ABA requires that all procedures be described completely and precisely enough that another practitioner
could replicate the intervention. This ensures reproducibility and accountability in service delivery. The effective dimension requires
meaningful behavior change, the generality dimension requires lasting effects across settings, and the analytic dimension requires
experimental demonstration of a functional relationship.
Q3.
A graduate student is studying the concept of the respondent conditioning process and wants to differentiate it from operant
conditioning. The student learns that respondent behavior is elicited by antecedent stimuli, whereas operant behavior is
influenced by its consequences. A clinician pairs a neutral stimulus (a bell) with an unconditioned stimulus (a loud noise) until
the bell alone elicits a startle response. What type of conditioning procedure is being demonstrated?
A. Operant conditioning with positive reinforcement
B. Classical (respondent) conditioning
C. Operant extinction
D. Negative punishment
Correct Answer: C
Classical (respondent) conditioning involves pairing a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus until the neutral stimulus acquires
eliciting properties and becomes a conditioned stimulus. This process was first described by Ivan Pavlov. Operant conditioning involves
consequences affecting behavior frequency, extinction removes reinforcement, and punishment applies aversive consequences to
decrease behavior.
EDF6226 Exam 1 | Applied Behavior Analysis | Latest 2026/2027 Update | Questions... Page 2
, Q4.
A behavior analyst is explaining the concept of stimulus control to a classroom teacher. The teacher notices that students
begin sharpening their pencils whenever the analyst walks to the front of the room with a worksheet, even before any verbal
instruction is given. The analyst explains that the worksheet has become a discriminative stimulus. What does a discriminative
stimulus signal to the learner?
A. That a specific consequence will definitely occur regardless of the behavior emitted
B. That a particular response will be reinforced or punished given the current context
C. That the antecedent event has no relationship to the behavior that follows
D. That the learner should immediately stop the current activity and wait for instructions
Correct Answer: D
A discriminative stimulus signals that a particular response will be followed by reinforcement or a specific consequence given the current
context. It sets the occasion for the behavior to occur due to the learner's history of reinforcement. It does not guarantee a consequence
regardless of behavior.
Q5.
A parent asks a behavior analyst why her son continues to engage in tantrum behavior even though she stopped giving him
toys when he tantrums two weeks ago. The analyst explains that the behavior initially increased in frequency and intensity
before beginning to decrease. The analyst tells the parent that this temporary increase is an expected phenomenon. What is
the term for this temporary increase in responding when reinforcement is withheld?
A. Spontaneous recovery
B. Behavioral contrast effect
C. Extinction burst
D. Resurgence
Correct Answer: C
An extinction burst is a temporary increase in the frequency, intensity, or duration of a previously reinforced behavior when reinforcement
is no longer provided. It is one of the most commonly observed side effects of extinction. Spontaneous recovery is the reappearance of
an extinguished behavior after a rest period. Behavioral contrast refers to changes in one setting when reinforcement changes in
another. Resurgence is the reappearance of a previously extinguished behavior when a more recently reinforced behavior is
extinguished.
Q6.
A researcher conducts a study in which a tone is presented to a laboratory rat and is immediately followed by a brief electric
shock. After several pairings, the rat freezes when the tone is presented alone. The researcher then presents the tone
repeatedly without the shock, and the freezing response gradually diminishes. What process best describes the gradual
decrease in the conditioned response?
A. Operant extinction involving the removal of a maintaining reinforcer
B. Respondent extinction involving the repeated presentation of a CS without a US
C. Positive punishment involving the application of an aversive stimulus
D. Counterconditioning involving the pairing of a new response with the stimulus
Correct Answer: B
Respondent extinction occurs when a conditioned stimulus (the tone) is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus (the
shock), resulting in a gradual weakening and eventual disappearance of the conditioned response (freezing). Operant extinction involves
withholding reinforcement for a voluntary behavior. Positive punishment involves applying an aversive consequence to decrease
behavior. Counterconditioning involves establishing a new response to the stimulus.
Q7.
A BCBA is teaching a new behavior technician about the three-term contingency and its role in understanding behavior. The
technician is asked to identify the components of the three-term contingency in a scenario where a student is given a difficult
worksheet (antecedent), engages in off-task behavior, and is then sent to the principal's office (consequence). Which
component of the three-term contingency does the off-task behavior represent?
A. The motivating operation that increases the value of escape
B. The discriminative stimulus signaling that escape is available
C. The response (behavior) that is affected by environmental antecedents and consequences
D. The establishing operation that alters the effectiveness of the consequence
EDF6226 Exam 1 | Applied Behavior Analysis | Latest 2026/2027 Update | Questions... Page 3
