ABSC 160 Exam 3 Questions and
Answers Already Passed
Question: What is the primary focus of Applied Behavioral Science?
Answer: ✔✔ Applied Behavioral Science focuses on understanding and improving human
behavior through the application of behavioral principles and research findings to real-world
problems, often involving behavior modification, intervention strategies, and behavioral
assessment.
Question: How does operant conditioning differ from classical conditioning?
Answer: ✔✔ Operant conditioning involves learning behaviors through rewards and
punishments, where the behavior is modified by its consequences. In contrast, classical
conditioning involves learning through associations between stimuli, where a neutral stimulus
becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus to elicit a conditioned response.
Question: What are the key components of a behavior modification plan?
Answer: ✔✔ Key components of a behavior modification plan include defining the target
behavior, setting specific and measurable goals, identifying antecedents and consequences,
applying reinforcement or punishment strategies, and regularly monitoring progress.
1
,Question: What role do antecedents play in behavior modification?
Answer: ✔✔ Antecedents are events or conditions that occur before a behavior and can trigger
or influence the occurrence of that behavior. Understanding antecedents helps in designing
interventions that modify environmental factors to promote or reduce specific behaviors.
Question: How is positive reinforcement used to encourage desirable behavior?
Answer: ✔✔ Positive reinforcement involves providing a rewarding consequence following a
desired behavior, which increases the likelihood of the behavior being repeated. Examples
include giving praise, tokens, or privileges when the individual exhibits the target behavior.
Question: What is the difference between continuous reinforcement and intermittent
reinforcement?
Answer: ✔✔ Continuous reinforcement involves providing reinforcement after every occurrence
of the desired behavior, while intermittent reinforcement involves providing reinforcement only
some of the time. Intermittent reinforcement can lead to more robust and enduring behavior
change.
Question: How do behaviorists view the concept of free will in relation to behavior?
2
, Answer: ✔✔ Behaviorists typically view behavior as a result of environmental influences and
conditioning rather than free will. They emphasize that behavior is learned and shaped by
interactions with the environment rather than intrinsic choice.
Question: What is a functional behavior assessment (FBA), and why is it important?
Answer: ✔✔ A functional behavior assessment (FBA) is a systematic process used to identify
the underlying causes and functions of problem behavior. It helps in designing effective
interventions by understanding what maintains the behavior and what changes can be made to
address it.
Question: What are the key elements of a token economy system?
Answer: ✔✔ A token economy system includes the use of tokens or points as a form of
secondary reinforcement, which can be exchanged for desired rewards. Key elements are
defining target behaviors, assigning token values, and providing clear guidelines for earning and
redeeming tokens.
Question: How does self-management apply to behavior change?
Answer: ✔✔ Self-management involves individuals using strategies to control their own
behavior, such as setting personal goals, self-monitoring, and applying self-reinforcement. It
3
Answers Already Passed
Question: What is the primary focus of Applied Behavioral Science?
Answer: ✔✔ Applied Behavioral Science focuses on understanding and improving human
behavior through the application of behavioral principles and research findings to real-world
problems, often involving behavior modification, intervention strategies, and behavioral
assessment.
Question: How does operant conditioning differ from classical conditioning?
Answer: ✔✔ Operant conditioning involves learning behaviors through rewards and
punishments, where the behavior is modified by its consequences. In contrast, classical
conditioning involves learning through associations between stimuli, where a neutral stimulus
becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus to elicit a conditioned response.
Question: What are the key components of a behavior modification plan?
Answer: ✔✔ Key components of a behavior modification plan include defining the target
behavior, setting specific and measurable goals, identifying antecedents and consequences,
applying reinforcement or punishment strategies, and regularly monitoring progress.
1
,Question: What role do antecedents play in behavior modification?
Answer: ✔✔ Antecedents are events or conditions that occur before a behavior and can trigger
or influence the occurrence of that behavior. Understanding antecedents helps in designing
interventions that modify environmental factors to promote or reduce specific behaviors.
Question: How is positive reinforcement used to encourage desirable behavior?
Answer: ✔✔ Positive reinforcement involves providing a rewarding consequence following a
desired behavior, which increases the likelihood of the behavior being repeated. Examples
include giving praise, tokens, or privileges when the individual exhibits the target behavior.
Question: What is the difference between continuous reinforcement and intermittent
reinforcement?
Answer: ✔✔ Continuous reinforcement involves providing reinforcement after every occurrence
of the desired behavior, while intermittent reinforcement involves providing reinforcement only
some of the time. Intermittent reinforcement can lead to more robust and enduring behavior
change.
Question: How do behaviorists view the concept of free will in relation to behavior?
2
, Answer: ✔✔ Behaviorists typically view behavior as a result of environmental influences and
conditioning rather than free will. They emphasize that behavior is learned and shaped by
interactions with the environment rather than intrinsic choice.
Question: What is a functional behavior assessment (FBA), and why is it important?
Answer: ✔✔ A functional behavior assessment (FBA) is a systematic process used to identify
the underlying causes and functions of problem behavior. It helps in designing effective
interventions by understanding what maintains the behavior and what changes can be made to
address it.
Question: What are the key elements of a token economy system?
Answer: ✔✔ A token economy system includes the use of tokens or points as a form of
secondary reinforcement, which can be exchanged for desired rewards. Key elements are
defining target behaviors, assigning token values, and providing clear guidelines for earning and
redeeming tokens.
Question: How does self-management apply to behavior change?
Answer: ✔✔ Self-management involves individuals using strategies to control their own
behavior, such as setting personal goals, self-monitoring, and applying self-reinforcement. It
3
