Free BCAT Behavior Reduction Treatment Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client frequently screams to get attention from their technician. The behavior plan states that the technician should provide reinforcement (e.g., praise, a token) every 5 minutes that the client does not scream. Which differential reinforcement procedure is being used?
- Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA)
- Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior (DRI)
- Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior (DRO) (Correct answer)
- Differential Reinforcement of Lower Rates of Behavior (DRL)
Correct answer: Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior (DRO)
Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior (DRO) involves delivering reinforcement for the absence of the problem behavior for a specified period. In this scenario, reinforcement is given as long as the screaming (the problem behavior) does not occur within the 5-minute interval.
Question 2: When implementing an extinction procedure for an attention-maintained behavior, the technician should anticipate a temporary increase in the frequency or intensity of the behavior. What is this predictable phenomenon called?
- Spontaneous recovery
- Extinction burst (Correct answer)
- Response generalization
- Behavioral contrast
Correct answer: Extinction burst
An extinction burst is a common and temporary increase in the frequency, intensity, or duration of a behavior when the reinforcement that was previously maintaining it is withheld. It often indicates that the intervention is beginning to work.
Question 3: A BCAT is working with a child who often grabs toys from peers. The supervising BCBA has designed a plan where the technician provides praise and a high-five each time the child says, "My turn, please?" instead of grabbing. This is an example of which behavior reduction strategy?
- Response cost
- Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA) (Correct answer)
- Negative punishment
- Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior (DRO)
Correct answer: Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA)
Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA) involves reinforcing a specific, appropriate behavior that serves the same function as the problem behavior, while withholding reinforcement for the problem behavior. Here, asking politely is the alternative to grabbing, and both serve the function of getting access to a toy.
Question 4: Which of the following is the PRIMARY reason for identifying the function of a problem behavior before creating a behavior reduction plan?
- To satisfy the requirements of the funding source.
- To select a punishment procedure that is most likely to be effective.
- To ensure the intervention addresses the client's underlying need or motivation for the behavior. (Correct answer)
- To determine the correct frequency for data collection.
Correct answer: To ensure the intervention addresses the client's underlying need or motivation for the behavior.
Understanding the function (the 'why') of a behavior—whether it's for attention, escape, access to tangibles, or automatic reinforcement—is crucial for developing an effective intervention. A function-based treatment addresses the client's motivation, making behavior change more meaningful and lasting.
Question 5: A client has a habit of hand-flapping. The behavior plan instructs the technician to provide reinforcement whenever the client is engaging in an activity that makes hand-flapping impossible, such as squeezing therapy putty or holding onto a push-toy. This is an example of:
- Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior (DRO)
- Differential Reinforcement of Lower Rates of Behavior (DRL)
- Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior (DRI) (Correct answer)
- Extinction
Correct answer: Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior (DRI)
Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior (DRI) is a procedure where reinforcement is provided for a behavior that cannot occur at the same time as the problem behavior. In this case, squeezing putty or holding a toy is physically incompatible with hand-flapping.
Question 6: A behavior intervention plan (BIP) calls for an 'access to tangible extinction' procedure for a client's crying behavior. As a BCAT implementing this plan, what would your response be when the client begins to cry to get a tablet?
- Gently redirect the client to a different activity.
- Provide praise for 'quiet hands' while ignoring the crying.
- Withhold access to the tablet when the crying occurs. (Correct answer)
- Tell the client, 'No crying,' and then give them the tablet.
Correct answer: Withhold access to the tablet when the crying occurs.
Access to tangible extinction means withholding the specific item that has previously reinforced the problem behavior. If the function of crying is to get the tablet, the extinction procedure involves not providing the tablet contingent on the crying.
