ABA Behavior Reduction and Ethics 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Before implementing any behavior reduction procedure, a BCBA MUST first:
- Ensure that appropriate reinforcement-based interventions have been considered (Correct answer)
- Apply the most restrictive procedure available
- Conduct a preference assessment only
- Obtain medication from a prescriber
Correct answer: Ensure that appropriate reinforcement-based interventions have been considered
Ethical ABA practice requires exhausting or considering reinforcement-based and less restrictive alternatives before implementing behavior reduction procedures.
Question 2: A function-based intervention matches the treatment to:
- The maintaining consequence identified in the functional behavior assessment (Correct answer)
- The topography of the target behavior
- The learner's chronological age
- The severity of the problem behavior alone
Correct answer: The maintaining consequence identified in the functional behavior assessment
Function-based interventions are designed to address the specific reinforcing consequence (attention, escape, tangible, sensory) that maintains the behavior.
Question 3: Extinction involves:
- Discontinuing the reinforcement that has been maintaining a behavior (Correct answer)
- Delivering punishment after every occurrence of the target behavior
- Reinforcing the absence of a behavior
- Blocking access to the behavior physically
Correct answer: Discontinuing the reinforcement that has been maintaining a behavior
Extinction is the withholding of reinforcement that previously followed a behavior, which over time leads to a reduction in that behavior's frequency.
Question 4: An extinction burst refers to:
- A temporary increase in behavior rate, intensity, or variability when extinction is first implemented (Correct answer)
- A rapid decrease in behavior during the first extinction session
- The elimination of behavior within the first two sessions
- A sudden increase in a different, appropriate behavior
Correct answer: A temporary increase in behavior rate, intensity, or variability when extinction is first implemented
An extinction burst is a common side effect where the target behavior initially increases in frequency, duration, or intensity before it begins to decrease under extinction.
Question 5: Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) involves:
- Reinforcing a specific alternative behavior while placing the problem behavior on extinction (Correct answer)
- Reinforcing any behavior other than the problem behavior
- Reinforcing low rates of the problem behavior
- Reducing reinforcement for all behaviors simultaneously
Correct answer: Reinforcing a specific alternative behavior while placing the problem behavior on extinction
DRA reinforces a designated appropriate alternative behavior and withholds reinforcement for the problem behavior, making the alternative more efficient than the problem behavior.
Question 6: Which BACB ethical code requires BCBAs to obtain informed consent before beginning services?
- 2.09 — Informed Consent (Correct answer)
- 1.04 — Integrity
- 3.01 — Behavior-Analytic Assessment
- 5.01 — Supervisory Competence
Correct answer: 2.09 — Informed Consent
BACB Ethics Code section 2.09 requires BCBAs to explain the nature of services, risks, benefits, and alternatives to clients and obtain informed consent prior to initiating services.
