Louisiana Behavior Analyst Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationale Q&A Instant
1. A behavior analyst is evaluating a functional analysis graph where the alone
condition yields high rates of behavior, the attention condition yields moderate rates,
and the demand condition yields near-zero rates. Which of the following conclusions is
most defensible?
A. The behavior is maintained by automatic reinforcement, and attention is a secondary
reinforcer.
B. The behavior is maintained by escape from demands, but the alone condition is a false
positive.
C. The behavior is maintained by attention, and the alone condition is an artifact of the
test environment.
D. The behavior is maintained by automatic reinforcement, and the moderate attention
condition reflects induction.
Answer: D. The behavior is maintained by automatic reinforcement, and the moderate
attention condition reflects induction.
Rationale: High alone responding indicates automatic reinforcement; moderate attention
responding may be induction (response generalization) rather than a maintaining
contingency, since alone is the primary function. The other options misinterpret the pattern
or incorrectly identify escape as the function.
Page 1 of 90
,2. A behavior analyst collects partial-interval data on a 10-second interval and obtains
80% of intervals scored. A second observer using the same system obtains 70%.
Which measure of interobserver agreement is most appropriate and why?
A. Total count IOA, because it captures the overall frequency of behavior.
B. Exact agreement IOA, because it requires interval-by-interval matching.
C. Interval-by-interval IOA, because it compares occurrences and nonoccurrences per
interval.
D. Mean count-per-interval IOA, because it averages counts across intervals.
Answer: C. Interval-by-interval IOA, because it compares occurrences and
nonoccurrences per interval.
Rationale: For partial-interval data, interval-by-interval IOA (occurrence/nonoccurrence
agreement) is standard because it accounts for both scored and unscored intervals. Total
count and mean count-per-interval are used for frequency/event data, and exact agreement
is typically for continuous measures like duration.
Page 2 of 90
,3. A client engages in severe self-injury maintained by automatic reinforcement. A
behavior analyst implements a noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) schedule using
preferred items. After two weeks, self-injury remains high. Which modification is
most consistent with the matching law and function-based practice?
A. Increase the density of NCR to compete with automatic reinforcement.
B. Add a response cost contingency for self-injury.
C. Switch to a DRO schedule with escalating intervals.
D. Introduce a punishment component to suppress the behavior.
Answer: A. Increase the density of NCR to compete with automatic reinforcement.
Rationale: For automatically reinforced behavior, NCR must be dense enough to compete
with the automatic reinforcement (matching law). Increasing density is the logical first step
before adding punishment or other contingencies, which may be unnecessary and less
ethical.
4. A behavior analyst is asked to assess a student's off-task behavior. The analyst
records the behavior for 20 minutes each day but only during math class. Which
measurement dimension is most limited by this approach?
A. Temporal extent
B. Temporal locus
C. Repeatability
D. Derivative measures
Answer: A. Temporal extent
Rationale: Temporal extent refers to the duration of behavior; by only observing during
math, the analyst limits the extent to which duration across the day is captured. Temporal
locus (when behavior occurs) and repeatability (count) are not directly limited by this
schedule, though generalization is.
Page 3 of 90
, 5. A behavior analyst is designing a token economy for a classroom. Which of the
following is the most critical consideration to ensure the system maintains its
effectiveness over time?
A. Ensure tokens are delivered immediately after each target behavior.
B. Use a response cost component to keep responding high.
C. Plan for gradual thinning of the token schedule and pairing with natural reinforcers.
D. Select backup reinforcers that are highly preferred and novel.
Answer: C. Plan for gradual thinning of the token schedule and pairing with natural
reinforcers.
Rationale: Token economies often suffer from abrupt withdrawal effects; planning for
schedule thinning and pairing with natural reinforcers promotes maintenance and
generalization. Immediate delivery and preferred backup items are important but do not
address long-term maintenance as directly.
6. A behavior analyst is conducting a functional analysis and observes that the target
behavior occurs at high rates in the play condition. What is the most likely
interpretation?
A. The behavior is maintained by attention.
B. The behavior is maintained by automatic reinforcement.
C. The play condition is serving as a control, and high rates suggest the behavior is not
function-specific.
D. The behavior is maintained by access to tangibles.
Answer: C. The play condition is serving as a control, and high rates suggest the
behavior is not function-specific.
Rationale: The play condition is a control condition with noncontingent attention and no
demands; high rates there suggest the behavior may be maintained by factors not captured
by the test conditions or that the behavior is not sensitive to the contingencies manipulated.
Attention and tangible conditions are separate test conditions.
Page 4 of 90
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationale Q&A Instant
1. A behavior analyst is evaluating a functional analysis graph where the alone
condition yields high rates of behavior, the attention condition yields moderate rates,
and the demand condition yields near-zero rates. Which of the following conclusions is
most defensible?
A. The behavior is maintained by automatic reinforcement, and attention is a secondary
reinforcer.
B. The behavior is maintained by escape from demands, but the alone condition is a false
positive.
C. The behavior is maintained by attention, and the alone condition is an artifact of the
test environment.
D. The behavior is maintained by automatic reinforcement, and the moderate attention
condition reflects induction.
Answer: D. The behavior is maintained by automatic reinforcement, and the moderate
attention condition reflects induction.
Rationale: High alone responding indicates automatic reinforcement; moderate attention
responding may be induction (response generalization) rather than a maintaining
contingency, since alone is the primary function. The other options misinterpret the pattern
or incorrectly identify escape as the function.
Page 1 of 90
,2. A behavior analyst collects partial-interval data on a 10-second interval and obtains
80% of intervals scored. A second observer using the same system obtains 70%.
Which measure of interobserver agreement is most appropriate and why?
A. Total count IOA, because it captures the overall frequency of behavior.
B. Exact agreement IOA, because it requires interval-by-interval matching.
C. Interval-by-interval IOA, because it compares occurrences and nonoccurrences per
interval.
D. Mean count-per-interval IOA, because it averages counts across intervals.
Answer: C. Interval-by-interval IOA, because it compares occurrences and
nonoccurrences per interval.
Rationale: For partial-interval data, interval-by-interval IOA (occurrence/nonoccurrence
agreement) is standard because it accounts for both scored and unscored intervals. Total
count and mean count-per-interval are used for frequency/event data, and exact agreement
is typically for continuous measures like duration.
Page 2 of 90
,3. A client engages in severe self-injury maintained by automatic reinforcement. A
behavior analyst implements a noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) schedule using
preferred items. After two weeks, self-injury remains high. Which modification is
most consistent with the matching law and function-based practice?
A. Increase the density of NCR to compete with automatic reinforcement.
B. Add a response cost contingency for self-injury.
C. Switch to a DRO schedule with escalating intervals.
D. Introduce a punishment component to suppress the behavior.
Answer: A. Increase the density of NCR to compete with automatic reinforcement.
Rationale: For automatically reinforced behavior, NCR must be dense enough to compete
with the automatic reinforcement (matching law). Increasing density is the logical first step
before adding punishment or other contingencies, which may be unnecessary and less
ethical.
4. A behavior analyst is asked to assess a student's off-task behavior. The analyst
records the behavior for 20 minutes each day but only during math class. Which
measurement dimension is most limited by this approach?
A. Temporal extent
B. Temporal locus
C. Repeatability
D. Derivative measures
Answer: A. Temporal extent
Rationale: Temporal extent refers to the duration of behavior; by only observing during
math, the analyst limits the extent to which duration across the day is captured. Temporal
locus (when behavior occurs) and repeatability (count) are not directly limited by this
schedule, though generalization is.
Page 3 of 90
, 5. A behavior analyst is designing a token economy for a classroom. Which of the
following is the most critical consideration to ensure the system maintains its
effectiveness over time?
A. Ensure tokens are delivered immediately after each target behavior.
B. Use a response cost component to keep responding high.
C. Plan for gradual thinning of the token schedule and pairing with natural reinforcers.
D. Select backup reinforcers that are highly preferred and novel.
Answer: C. Plan for gradual thinning of the token schedule and pairing with natural
reinforcers.
Rationale: Token economies often suffer from abrupt withdrawal effects; planning for
schedule thinning and pairing with natural reinforcers promotes maintenance and
generalization. Immediate delivery and preferred backup items are important but do not
address long-term maintenance as directly.
6. A behavior analyst is conducting a functional analysis and observes that the target
behavior occurs at high rates in the play condition. What is the most likely
interpretation?
A. The behavior is maintained by attention.
B. The behavior is maintained by automatic reinforcement.
C. The play condition is serving as a control, and high rates suggest the behavior is not
function-specific.
D. The behavior is maintained by access to tangibles.
Answer: C. The play condition is serving as a control, and high rates suggest the
behavior is not function-specific.
Rationale: The play condition is a control condition with noncontingent attention and no
demands; high rates there suggest the behavior may be maintained by factors not captured
by the test conditions or that the behavior is not sensitive to the contingencies manipulated.
Attention and tangible conditions are separate test conditions.
Page 4 of 90
