QUESTION 1
QUESTION: Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of a task analysis in
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)?
A. To measure the accuracy of a student’s verbal responses
B. To break down a complex skill into smaller, teachable components
C. To identify reinforcers for specific behaviors
D. To compare group performance across settings
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Task analysis helps practitioners systematically teach complex behaviors by dividing
them into smaller steps. This supports targeted instruction and data collection. The other
options focus on measurement, reinforcement, or comparison, which are separate processes.
QUESTION 2
QUESTION: In data collection, interobserver agreement (IOA) ensures:
A. The reliability of measurement across observers
B. A reduction in procedural fidelity
C. The completeness of client records
D. The reinforcement of observer accuracy through feedback
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: IOA assesses the consistency between two or more observers’ data, establishing
reliability in measurement. It does not directly evaluate fidelity, completeness, or reinforcement
practices.
QUESTION 3
QUESTION: During a functional behavior assessment, the indirect method might include:
A. Conducting a scatterplot analysis
B. Observing antecedent-behavior-consequence sequences directly
,C. Administering a behavior rating scale
D. Implementing a functional analysis
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Indirect methods rely on interviews and rating scales that collect information about
behavior history without direct observation. Scatterplot and ABC analysis are direct methods,
while functional analysis manipulates variables directly.
QUESTION 4
QUESTION: Which of the following statements about reinforcement is TRUE?
A. Reinforcement only occurs when a tangible item follows a response.
B. Reinforcement strengthens behavior by increasing its future frequency.
C. Reinforcement must occur on a continuous schedule to be effective.
D. Reinforcement is determined by the instructor’s intention.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Reinforcement is defined functionally: if a consequence increases the likelihood of a
behavior, it is a reinforcer. It need not be tangible nor continuous, and its effect is determined by
the outcome, not by intent.
QUESTION 5
QUESTION: The most appropriate data display for showing change in behavior over time is a:
A. Histogram
B. Pie chart
C. Line graph
D. Bar chart
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Line graphs allow behavior analysts to evaluate trends, variability, and level across
time — critical for decision-making. Histograms and pie charts show distributions or
proportions, not temporal changes.
QUESTION 6
,QUESTION: A client’s treatment plan must align with which ethical principle of behavior
analysis?
A. The least restrictive alternative
B. The convenience of staff
C. The availability of resources
D. The need to maximize sessions
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: Ethically, behavior analysts are required to use the least intrusive, effective
intervention. Other factors like staffing or resources should not override client rights or
independence.
QUESTION 7
QUESTION: Which data collection method is most appropriate for behaviors with no clear onset
or offset?
A. Continuous recording
B. Duration recording
C. Interval recording
D. Event recording
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Interval recording is used when behaviors are hard to define in exact moments, such
as humming or wandering. Duration and event recording require distinct beginnings and ends.
QUESTION 8
QUESTION: Which term describes a situation in which a previously neutral stimulus becomes a
conditioned reinforcer by association with a primary reinforcer?
A. Habituation
B. Modeling
C. Pairing
D. Extinction
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Pairing involves presenting the neutral stimulus with a primary reinforcer until the
neutral stimulus itself acquires reinforcing properties.
, QUESTION 9
QUESTION: In a discrete-trial format, each trial consists of which sequence?
A. Response → Antecedent → Consequence
B. Antecedent → Response → Consequence
C. Consequence → Response → Antecedent
D. Prompt → Reinforcer → Response
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The standard structure is Antecedent (SD), Response, and Consequence, allowing for
clear instructional control and data tracking.
QUESTION 10
QUESTION: What is the primary goal of generalization training?
A. To master a specific skill under one condition
B. To teach across environments, people, and materials
C. To increase error rates to test flexibility
D. To isolate new stimulus conditions
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Generalization ensures that learned behaviors are functional and durable across
different real-world contexts, not limited to the training environment.
QUESTION 11
QUESTION: Which approach most effectively promotes maintenance of a newly acquired skill?
A. Discontinuing reinforcement immediately
B. Using continuous prompts in all settings
C. Gradually shifting to natural reinforcement sources
D. Testing without reinforcement
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Transitioning reinforcement from artificial to natural contingencies increases long-
term maintenance of skills. Immediate removal of reinforcement risks performance decline.