Understanding Applied Behavior Analysis

Which of the following best describes applied behavior analysis (ABA)?

• Understanding how information is received, stored, retrieved, and expressed

• Emphasizing the social nature of learning

• Identifying observable behaviors and manipulating antecedents and consequences

• Analyzing students’ behaviors and establishing classroom rules and consequences

Parker is a first grader who struggles with mathematics. When he gets frustrated, he provokes other children in class by hitting and shoving. Before each in-class math assignment, the teacher calls Parker to her desk and reminds him how well he did on the previous mathematics assignment and shows him a graph of his progress. She gives him a modified assignment and allows him to work with a math buddy. Parker’s teacher reduces his undesirable behavior by:

• Providing positive reinforcement

• Manipulating antecedents

• Providing negative reinforcement

• Using the Premack principle

Sophie dislikes reading but will always read her assigned pages when she knows she will be able to do her favorite activity—coloring—as soon as she finishes reading. For Sophie, coloring is what kind of reinforcer?

• Tangible reinforcer

• Negative reinforcer

• Token reinforcer

• Intrinsic reinforcer

In which of the following situations does the teacher use the Premack principle?

• Requiring complete silence in the classroom until the last student completes assigned work

• Using a token system of reinforcement in the classroom

• Making extended recess time contingent upon the appropriate behavior of one student

• Making extra game time contingent upon students’ completion of a group task

Luis has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and follows a schedule that lists all tasks he must do during class time. If he completes all tasks, he gets 10 minutes of extra time to play on the computer—his favorite activity. What is being used to increase Luis’ on-task behavior?

• Negative reinforcement

• Positive reinforcement

• Extinction

• Shaping

Mia struggles with reading and dislikes language arts. During language arts, she frequently pokes the student in the seat next to her and often wanders around the room. Her teacher puts her in time-out. Mia likes to sit by herself and stare at the pictures on the wall during time-out. For Mia, time-out is not effective because it:

• Positively reinforces her undesirable behavior

• Negatively reinforces her undesirable behavior

• Extinguishes her good behavior

• Provides differential reinforcement

A teacher scowls at a student until the student stops whispering and begins working. After the teacher stops scowling, the student continues to work successfully. Within the applied behavioral analysis framework, the removal of the scowl is considered:

• Secondary reinforcement

• Negative reinforcement

• The antecedent

• Differential reinforcement

Ian loves working on the computer and is given extra computer time if he finishes all of his math problems during math class. During his computer time, another child, Kamila, often uses the computer next to him. Ian becomes friends with Kamila and they enjoy working together. For Ian, social time with Kamila becomes:

• A primary reinforcer

• An example of the Premack principle

• Extinction of undesirable behaviors

• A secondary reinforcer

Amanda frequently laughs out loud at inappropriate times during class discussion. She likes the reaction of other students and her teacher when they look at her and scold her to be quiet. Her teacher ignores these outbursts and also advises the students to ignore those who interrupt discussion. To alter Amanda’s behavior, her teacher is using:

• Differential reinforcement

• Consequences

• Punishment

• Extinction

Mr. Nicoletti establishes a written agreement with Eli, a student who has difficulty with reading. If Eli completes additional reading tasks with his peer buddy three times a week, Eli gets half an hour of computer time on Friday. Mr. Nicoletti and Eli sign the agreement. This is an example of:

• Extinction

• A contingency contract

• Secondary reinforcement

• The Premack principle