BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION PRACTICE TEST
QUESTIONS (TEST 1) EXAM QUESTIONS
CORRECT ANSWERS NEW 2025 UPDATE
(VERIFIED A+ PASS)
A CRF schedule is used for acquisition, and an intermittent schedule is used for maintenance.
Describe what this means. - RIGHT ANSWER -A CRF schedule is used when a person is learning a
behavior or engaging in the behavior for the first time. Once the person has acquired or learned
the behavior, an intermittent reinforcement schedule is used so that the person continues to
engage in the behavior.
Briefly describe the contributions of Pavlov, Thorndike, Watson and Skinner to the development
of behavior modification. - RIGHT ANSWER -Ivan B. Pavlov conducted experiments which
uncovered the basic processes of respondent conditioning. Pavlov demonstrated that a reflex
(salivation in response to food) could be conditioned to a neutral stimulus (the sound of a
metronome). Edward L. Thorndike described the "law of effect," which says that a behavior that
produces a favorable effect on the environment will be more likely to be repeated in the future.
In his article, "Psychology as the behaviorist views it," John B. Watson asserted that observable
behavior was the proper subject matter of psychology and that all behavior was controlled by
environmental events. B. F. Skinner expanded the field of behaviorism originally described by
Watson. His research elaborated the basic principles of operant behavior, and is the foundation
of behavior modification.
define differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA). Provide an example of DRA. -
RIGHT ANSWER -DRA is the application of reinforcement and extinction to increase the
occurrence of a desirable target behavior while decreasing the occurrence of behaviors that
interfere with the target behavior.
The following example illustrates DRA: Maria's parents want to increase Maria's behavior of
saying "please" when asking for items to be passed at the dinner table. To do this, when Maria
says please when asking for an item to be passed (desirable target behavior), one of her parents
passes the item to her (reinforcer). However, when Maria doesn't say please when asking for an
item to be passed (undesirable behavior), the parents do not pass the item (extinction).
,Describe how the effectiveness of time-out is related to the function of the problem behavior
and the nature of the time-in environment. - RIGHT ANSWER -Time-out is appropriate to use
with problem behaviors that are maintained by positive reinforcement involving social or
tangible reinforcers. Time-out removes access to these and other positive reinforcers contingent
on the occurrence of the problem behavior and, as a result, the problem behavior is less likely to
occur. Time-out is not appropriate to use with problem behaviors maintained by negative
reinforcement or sensory stimulation (automatic reinforcement). Because time-out removes the
individual from the ongoing activities or interactions in the room, time-out would negatively
reinforce any behavior that was maintained by escape. The "time-in" environment (the
environment where the problem takes place) must consist of positively reinforcing activities or
interactions in order for time-out to be effective. Removing the individual from this environment
will be "time-out from positive reinforcement" only if the "time-in" environment is positively
reinforcing and the "time-out" environment is not reinforcing or is relatively less reinforcing.
Describe how you calculate IOA for frequency, duration and interval recording. - RIGHT ANSWER
-For frequency recording, IOA is calculated by dividing the smaller frequency by the larger
frequency and multiplying by 100%. For duration recording, IOA is calculated by dividing the
smaller duration by the larger duration and multiplying by 100%. For interval recording, the
agreement between the two observers in each interval is checked. Then, the number of intervals
with agreements is divided by the number of intervals with agreements plus disagreements (the
total number of intervals.)
Describe how you would calculate IOA for frequency-within-interval recording. - RIGHT ANSWER
-For frequency-within-interval recording you calculate interobserver agreement by computing a
percentage of agreement for each interval (divide the smaller number by the larger number) and
then add the percentages and divide the sum by the number of intervals.
Describe response cost. Explain what makes a response cost a negative punishment procedure. -
RIGHT ANSWER -Response cost is defined as the removal of a specified amount of a reinforcer
contingent on the occurrence of a problem behavior. Response cost is a negative punishment
because the problem behavior is followed by the removal of a reinforcing stimulus, which
decreases the probability that the problem behavior will occur in the future.
Describe the application of aversive activities as a from of positive punishment. Describe how it
is based in the Premack principle. - RIGHT ANSWER -The application of aversive activities is a
form of positive punishment in which an individual is made to engage in an aversive activity
,contingent on the occurrence of a problem behavior. This procedure is based on the Premack
principle which states that when the requirement to engage in a low probability behavior (the
aversive activity) is made contingent on the occurrence of a high probability behavior (the
problem behavior), the high probability behavior will decrease in the future.
Describe the application of aversive stimulation as a form of positive punishment. - RIGHT
ANSWER -The application of aversive stimulation involves the delivery of an aversive stimulus
following the problem behavior. As a result, the problem behavior is less likely to occur in the
future.
Describe the changing-criteria design. How do you determine if treatment is effective? - RIGHT
ANSWER -A changing criterion design typically includes a baseline and treatment phase, with
sequential performance criteria specified within the treatment phase.
The effectiveness of treatment in a changing criterion design is determined by whether the
subject's behavior or performance changes to meet the changing performance criteria.
Describe the characteristics of an appropriate time-out room. - RIGHT ANSWER -The time-out
room/area must be a place where the individual does not have access to any positive reinforcers.
For exclusionary time-out, another room or a hallway must be used. The individual must not be
able to engage in any reinforcing activities or interactions in the time-out room or hallway. A
time-out room should be safe (nothing sharp or breakable in the room), well-lighted (with a
ceiling light that cannot be broken), and barren (nothing in the room except a chair). There
should be an observation window so that the individual can be observed during time- out, and
the room should not have a lock so that the individual cannot lock out the change agent and the
change agent cannot lock in the client.
Describe the contingent exercise procedure. How does it differ from over correction? Describe
how you would use contingent exercise instead of overcorrection procedures in the context of
the previous examples. - RIGHT ANSWER -In the contingent exercise procedure, the individual is
made to engage in some form of physical exercise contingent on the occurrence of the problem
behavior. Contingent exercise differs from overcorrection in terms of the aversive activity. In
overcorrection, the aversive activity is a correct form of behavior related to the problem
behavior (positive practice) or a behavior that corrects a disruption to the environment created
by the problem behavior (restitution). In contingent exercise, the aversive activity involves
,physical exercise that is unrelated to the problem behavior. For the example in #3, contingent
exercise could involve Lori being made to run 2 laps around the field contingent upon fielding a
ground ball incorrectly. For the example in #4, contingent exercise might involve having
Christopher to 10 push-ups whenever he is caught drawing on his desk.
Describe the differences among extinction, time-out and response cost. - RIGHT ANSWER
-Different processes are involved in extinction, time-out, and response cost. With extinction, the
problem behavior is no longer followed by the reinforcing event that previously maintained the
behavior. With time-out, the individual is removed from access to all sources of reinforcement
contingent on the problem behavior. With response cost, a specific amount of a reinforcer (but
not the reinforcer for the problem behavior) is removed following the problem behavior.
Describe the distinction between overt behavior and covert behavior. Provide an example of
each. Which is the focus of this book? - RIGHT ANSWER -An overt behavior is an action of an
individual that can be observed and recorded by an individual other than the one engaging in
the behavior. An example of an overt behavior is talking. Covert behaviors, on the other hand,
are not observable to others. For example, thinking is a covert behavior. This textbook will focus
on behavior modification with overt behaviors.
Describe the guided compliance procedure. When is it used? Describe how guided compliance
may be a component of overcorrection or contingent exercise procedures? - RIGHT ANSWER -In
the guided compliance procedure, the individual is physically guided through the requested
activity contingent on the occurrence of the problem behavior. It is used when an individual is
engaging in a problem behavior in a compliance situation (the individual is instructed or
requested to engage in an activity). Overcorrection and contingent exercise require the
individual to engage in an effortful behavior for an extended period of time contingent on the
occurrence of a problem behavior. Guided compliance can be used if the individual fails to
comply with the requested activity following the problem behavior.
Describe the physical restraint procedure. Provide an example. Provide an example of response
blocking. - RIGHT ANSWER -Physical restraint is a type of punishment procedure in which,
contingent on the occurrence of a problem behavior, the change agent holds the part of the
client's body that is involved in the problem behavior. The change agent holds this part of the
body immobile so that the individual is physically restrained from continuing to engage in the
problem behavior. For example, when a child with autism engages in self-injurious behavior
consisting of slaps to the head, the change agent may respond by holding the arm used to slap
,down at the child's side for 1 minute. To use response blocking with the same child, as soon as
the change agent sees the child's arm raising toward the head, the change agent blocks it so that
the child cannot complete the response.
Describe the positive practice procedure. Provide an example. - RIGHT ANSWER -In the positive
practice procedure, the individual has to engage in correct forms of relevant behavior contingent
on the occurrence of the problem behavior. The individual engages in the correct behavior, with
physical guidance if necessary, for an extended period of time or until the correct behavior has
been repeated a number of times. For example, when Lori fields a ground ball incorrectly during
baseball practice, her coach continues to hit ground balls to her until she has fielded the ball
correctly a number of times.
Describe the restitution procedure. Provide an example. - RIGHT ANSWER -Restitution is a
procedure in which, contingent on the occurrence of the problem behavior, the client has to
correct the environmental effects of the problem and restore the environment to a condition
better than it was prior to the occurrence of the problem behavior. Physical guidance is used as
necessary to get the individual to engage in the restitutional activities. For example, Christopher
often draws on his desk when the teacher is lecturing. When he is caught engaging in the
behavior, he must erase the marks that he made in his desk and stay after class and erase all the
marks on every desk in the classroom.
Describe three ways to identify reinforcers for a person. - RIGHT ANSWER -(1) Observe the
individual and identify the reinforcer for the problem behavior.
(2) Observe the individual and identify high rate behaviors.
(3) Ask the individual, parents, or teachers.
(4) Present potential reinforcers and measure approach behaviors. Includes single stimulus
assessment, paired stimulus assessment, and multiple stimulus assessment.
(5) Present potential reinforcers contingent on an operant response and measure response rate
or duration.
Describe time-out. Explain why time-out is a negative punishment procedure. - RIGHT ANSWER
-Time-out is the loss of access to positive reinforcers for a brief period of time contingent on the
problem behavior. Time-out is a negative punishment procedure because the removal of a
QUESTIONS (TEST 1) EXAM QUESTIONS
CORRECT ANSWERS NEW 2025 UPDATE
(VERIFIED A+ PASS)
A CRF schedule is used for acquisition, and an intermittent schedule is used for maintenance.
Describe what this means. - RIGHT ANSWER -A CRF schedule is used when a person is learning a
behavior or engaging in the behavior for the first time. Once the person has acquired or learned
the behavior, an intermittent reinforcement schedule is used so that the person continues to
engage in the behavior.
Briefly describe the contributions of Pavlov, Thorndike, Watson and Skinner to the development
of behavior modification. - RIGHT ANSWER -Ivan B. Pavlov conducted experiments which
uncovered the basic processes of respondent conditioning. Pavlov demonstrated that a reflex
(salivation in response to food) could be conditioned to a neutral stimulus (the sound of a
metronome). Edward L. Thorndike described the "law of effect," which says that a behavior that
produces a favorable effect on the environment will be more likely to be repeated in the future.
In his article, "Psychology as the behaviorist views it," John B. Watson asserted that observable
behavior was the proper subject matter of psychology and that all behavior was controlled by
environmental events. B. F. Skinner expanded the field of behaviorism originally described by
Watson. His research elaborated the basic principles of operant behavior, and is the foundation
of behavior modification.
define differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA). Provide an example of DRA. -
RIGHT ANSWER -DRA is the application of reinforcement and extinction to increase the
occurrence of a desirable target behavior while decreasing the occurrence of behaviors that
interfere with the target behavior.
The following example illustrates DRA: Maria's parents want to increase Maria's behavior of
saying "please" when asking for items to be passed at the dinner table. To do this, when Maria
says please when asking for an item to be passed (desirable target behavior), one of her parents
passes the item to her (reinforcer). However, when Maria doesn't say please when asking for an
item to be passed (undesirable behavior), the parents do not pass the item (extinction).
,Describe how the effectiveness of time-out is related to the function of the problem behavior
and the nature of the time-in environment. - RIGHT ANSWER -Time-out is appropriate to use
with problem behaviors that are maintained by positive reinforcement involving social or
tangible reinforcers. Time-out removes access to these and other positive reinforcers contingent
on the occurrence of the problem behavior and, as a result, the problem behavior is less likely to
occur. Time-out is not appropriate to use with problem behaviors maintained by negative
reinforcement or sensory stimulation (automatic reinforcement). Because time-out removes the
individual from the ongoing activities or interactions in the room, time-out would negatively
reinforce any behavior that was maintained by escape. The "time-in" environment (the
environment where the problem takes place) must consist of positively reinforcing activities or
interactions in order for time-out to be effective. Removing the individual from this environment
will be "time-out from positive reinforcement" only if the "time-in" environment is positively
reinforcing and the "time-out" environment is not reinforcing or is relatively less reinforcing.
Describe how you calculate IOA for frequency, duration and interval recording. - RIGHT ANSWER
-For frequency recording, IOA is calculated by dividing the smaller frequency by the larger
frequency and multiplying by 100%. For duration recording, IOA is calculated by dividing the
smaller duration by the larger duration and multiplying by 100%. For interval recording, the
agreement between the two observers in each interval is checked. Then, the number of intervals
with agreements is divided by the number of intervals with agreements plus disagreements (the
total number of intervals.)
Describe how you would calculate IOA for frequency-within-interval recording. - RIGHT ANSWER
-For frequency-within-interval recording you calculate interobserver agreement by computing a
percentage of agreement for each interval (divide the smaller number by the larger number) and
then add the percentages and divide the sum by the number of intervals.
Describe response cost. Explain what makes a response cost a negative punishment procedure. -
RIGHT ANSWER -Response cost is defined as the removal of a specified amount of a reinforcer
contingent on the occurrence of a problem behavior. Response cost is a negative punishment
because the problem behavior is followed by the removal of a reinforcing stimulus, which
decreases the probability that the problem behavior will occur in the future.
Describe the application of aversive activities as a from of positive punishment. Describe how it
is based in the Premack principle. - RIGHT ANSWER -The application of aversive activities is a
form of positive punishment in which an individual is made to engage in an aversive activity
,contingent on the occurrence of a problem behavior. This procedure is based on the Premack
principle which states that when the requirement to engage in a low probability behavior (the
aversive activity) is made contingent on the occurrence of a high probability behavior (the
problem behavior), the high probability behavior will decrease in the future.
Describe the application of aversive stimulation as a form of positive punishment. - RIGHT
ANSWER -The application of aversive stimulation involves the delivery of an aversive stimulus
following the problem behavior. As a result, the problem behavior is less likely to occur in the
future.
Describe the changing-criteria design. How do you determine if treatment is effective? - RIGHT
ANSWER -A changing criterion design typically includes a baseline and treatment phase, with
sequential performance criteria specified within the treatment phase.
The effectiveness of treatment in a changing criterion design is determined by whether the
subject's behavior or performance changes to meet the changing performance criteria.
Describe the characteristics of an appropriate time-out room. - RIGHT ANSWER -The time-out
room/area must be a place where the individual does not have access to any positive reinforcers.
For exclusionary time-out, another room or a hallway must be used. The individual must not be
able to engage in any reinforcing activities or interactions in the time-out room or hallway. A
time-out room should be safe (nothing sharp or breakable in the room), well-lighted (with a
ceiling light that cannot be broken), and barren (nothing in the room except a chair). There
should be an observation window so that the individual can be observed during time- out, and
the room should not have a lock so that the individual cannot lock out the change agent and the
change agent cannot lock in the client.
Describe the contingent exercise procedure. How does it differ from over correction? Describe
how you would use contingent exercise instead of overcorrection procedures in the context of
the previous examples. - RIGHT ANSWER -In the contingent exercise procedure, the individual is
made to engage in some form of physical exercise contingent on the occurrence of the problem
behavior. Contingent exercise differs from overcorrection in terms of the aversive activity. In
overcorrection, the aversive activity is a correct form of behavior related to the problem
behavior (positive practice) or a behavior that corrects a disruption to the environment created
by the problem behavior (restitution). In contingent exercise, the aversive activity involves
,physical exercise that is unrelated to the problem behavior. For the example in #3, contingent
exercise could involve Lori being made to run 2 laps around the field contingent upon fielding a
ground ball incorrectly. For the example in #4, contingent exercise might involve having
Christopher to 10 push-ups whenever he is caught drawing on his desk.
Describe the differences among extinction, time-out and response cost. - RIGHT ANSWER
-Different processes are involved in extinction, time-out, and response cost. With extinction, the
problem behavior is no longer followed by the reinforcing event that previously maintained the
behavior. With time-out, the individual is removed from access to all sources of reinforcement
contingent on the problem behavior. With response cost, a specific amount of a reinforcer (but
not the reinforcer for the problem behavior) is removed following the problem behavior.
Describe the distinction between overt behavior and covert behavior. Provide an example of
each. Which is the focus of this book? - RIGHT ANSWER -An overt behavior is an action of an
individual that can be observed and recorded by an individual other than the one engaging in
the behavior. An example of an overt behavior is talking. Covert behaviors, on the other hand,
are not observable to others. For example, thinking is a covert behavior. This textbook will focus
on behavior modification with overt behaviors.
Describe the guided compliance procedure. When is it used? Describe how guided compliance
may be a component of overcorrection or contingent exercise procedures? - RIGHT ANSWER -In
the guided compliance procedure, the individual is physically guided through the requested
activity contingent on the occurrence of the problem behavior. It is used when an individual is
engaging in a problem behavior in a compliance situation (the individual is instructed or
requested to engage in an activity). Overcorrection and contingent exercise require the
individual to engage in an effortful behavior for an extended period of time contingent on the
occurrence of a problem behavior. Guided compliance can be used if the individual fails to
comply with the requested activity following the problem behavior.
Describe the physical restraint procedure. Provide an example. Provide an example of response
blocking. - RIGHT ANSWER -Physical restraint is a type of punishment procedure in which,
contingent on the occurrence of a problem behavior, the change agent holds the part of the
client's body that is involved in the problem behavior. The change agent holds this part of the
body immobile so that the individual is physically restrained from continuing to engage in the
problem behavior. For example, when a child with autism engages in self-injurious behavior
consisting of slaps to the head, the change agent may respond by holding the arm used to slap
,down at the child's side for 1 minute. To use response blocking with the same child, as soon as
the change agent sees the child's arm raising toward the head, the change agent blocks it so that
the child cannot complete the response.
Describe the positive practice procedure. Provide an example. - RIGHT ANSWER -In the positive
practice procedure, the individual has to engage in correct forms of relevant behavior contingent
on the occurrence of the problem behavior. The individual engages in the correct behavior, with
physical guidance if necessary, for an extended period of time or until the correct behavior has
been repeated a number of times. For example, when Lori fields a ground ball incorrectly during
baseball practice, her coach continues to hit ground balls to her until she has fielded the ball
correctly a number of times.
Describe the restitution procedure. Provide an example. - RIGHT ANSWER -Restitution is a
procedure in which, contingent on the occurrence of the problem behavior, the client has to
correct the environmental effects of the problem and restore the environment to a condition
better than it was prior to the occurrence of the problem behavior. Physical guidance is used as
necessary to get the individual to engage in the restitutional activities. For example, Christopher
often draws on his desk when the teacher is lecturing. When he is caught engaging in the
behavior, he must erase the marks that he made in his desk and stay after class and erase all the
marks on every desk in the classroom.
Describe three ways to identify reinforcers for a person. - RIGHT ANSWER -(1) Observe the
individual and identify the reinforcer for the problem behavior.
(2) Observe the individual and identify high rate behaviors.
(3) Ask the individual, parents, or teachers.
(4) Present potential reinforcers and measure approach behaviors. Includes single stimulus
assessment, paired stimulus assessment, and multiple stimulus assessment.
(5) Present potential reinforcers contingent on an operant response and measure response rate
or duration.
Describe time-out. Explain why time-out is a negative punishment procedure. - RIGHT ANSWER
-Time-out is the loss of access to positive reinforcers for a brief period of time contingent on the
problem behavior. Time-out is a negative punishment procedure because the removal of a
