Functions of Bx
Which function of behavior does this exemplify?
A- The child is sitting in class; the students are watching the teacher
B- Throwing; screaming
C- The teacher reprimands him; Students laugh at him
Attention
Type of differential reinforcement procedure; this involves placing the maladaptive behavior on extinction and reinforcing a behavior that is compatible or physically impossible for the client to do at the same time as the maladaptive behavior
Differential reinforcement of incompatible behaviors (DRI)
These are strategies used to prevent challenging behaviors by changing the environment before they occur
Antecedent intervention
This is the discontinuing of reinforcement for a behavior that was previously reinforced
Extinction
During homework time, Maya often yells and throws her pencil when she gets frustrated with a math problem. Her RBT teaches her to ask for help by raising her hand instead. Whenever Maya raises her hand to request help, the RBT immediately assists her and praises her for asking appropriately. When she yells or throws her pencil, the RBT does not provide attention. Which procedure is being used in this scenario?
Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA); The RBT reinforces a specific appropriate alternative behavior (raising hand to ask for help) that serves the same function as the problem behavior (getting help). Inappropriate behaviors (yelling, throwing) are not reinforced.
Which function of behavior does this exemplify?
A- The student is playing with the iPad. The RBT states "Time to go potty!" and takes the iPad.
B- Verbal protest; tantrum
C- The RBT allows the child to play for 5 more minutes before going to the potty.
Access
A procedure in which a specific set of behaviors are reinforced and all other responses are placed on extinction. In other words, you withhold reinforcement during engagement in problem behaviors and reinforce a different, appropriate behavior.
Differential reinforcement
This is a strategy that gives rewards based on time, rather than on behavior. They get the reinforcement no matter what is occurring; this is used to address behaviors that are maintained by attention or escape.
Noncontingent Reinforcement (NCR)
This is a predictable, temporary increase in the intensity, frequency, and/or duration of a behavior during extinction procedures.
Extinction burst
During independent work time, Ava frequently calls out for her teacher’s attention by saying, “Look at me!” The BCBA instructs the RBT to give Ava attention on a fixed schedule—every 2 minutes—regardless of whether Ava calls out or not. After a few sessions, Ava’s calling-out behavior decreases noticeably. Which intervention is being used in this scenario?
Noncontingent reinforcement; With Noncontingent Reinforcement, the RBT delivers the reinforcer (attention) on a fixed schedule, not based on the occurrence of the problem behavior. This reduces the motivation to engage in the behavior that previously earned that reinforcement (calling out).
Which function of behavior does this exemplify?
A- The child is left alone, they are playing with slime
B- jumping, spinning
C- They continue to play with slime
Sensory
Type of differential reinforcement; this involves putting a maladaptive behavior on extinction and reinforcing a different replacement behavior that serves the same function as the maladaptive behavior.
Differential reinforcement of alternative behaviors (DRA)
This involves the use of a series of high-probability requests to increase compliance with lower-probability requests. The RBT will present several easy instructions that the client is very likely to comply with. The RBT then reinforces the completion of each, and after 3-5 instructions, the RBT presents a low probability request.
High probability request sequence/Behavior momentum
This is used as a last resort, and only when there is clear danger
Restraint
For several weeks, Marcus has been interrupting his teacher by shouting answers without raising his hand. In the past, the teacher would respond to him when he did this. The BCBA instructs the teacher to stop responding to Marcus when he shouts. After several days, Marcus’s shouting behavior begins to decrease. Which procedure is being implemented?
Extinction
Which function of behavior does this exemplify?
A- The student is sitting at a table next to the therapist; the therapist tells them to count to 5
B- flopping, verbal protest
C- The therapist ignores the child and does not place another demand
Escape
Type of differential reinforcement; this is a time-based schedule of reinforcement in which the reinforcer is provided whenever a specific behavior is not emitted during a predetermined interval of time. Essentially, you are reinforcing the absence of the problem behavior.
Differential reinforcement of other behaviors (DRO)
This refers to environmental events or conditions that alter the value of a specific consequence and influence the likelihood of a particular behavior occurring. In other words, they can change the effectiveness of reinforcers or punishers.
Motivating operations (MO)
Do not attend to the behavior
During small group activities, Emma often taps her pencil on the desk, which distracts other students. The BCBA instructs the RBT to give Emma a sticker and verbal praise every 5 minutes if she has not tapped her pencil at all during that interval. If she taps her pencil, she does not receive the sticker or praise. Which procedure is being used in this scenario?
Differential reinforcement of other behaviors (DRO); In a DRO, reinforcement is delivered when the problem behavior does not occur for a set period of time, regardless of what other behaviors occur. Here, Emma earns reinforcement only for not tapping her pencil during the 5-minute interval.
During circle time, Mrs. Lopez asks her preschool class to sit quietly and listen to a story. When she begins reading, Jason starts loudly humming and rocking in his seat. Mrs. Lopez asks him to stop, but he continues. After a few minutes, she lets Jason leave the group to play with blocks instead. Once he leaves circle time, the humming stops. What is the most likely function of Jason's behavior?
Escape; Jason's humming behavior stops after he is allowed to leave circle time, meaning his behavior helped him escape the non-preferred activity
For double points!! Explain the difference between DRA, DRI, and DRO
DRA- withhold reinforcement for the problem behavior, reinforce a FERB
DRI- withhold reinforcement for the problem behavior; reinforce an incompatible behavior
DRO- withhold reinforcement for the problem behavior; reinforce when the behavior is NOT occurring
This occurs when clients have had unlimited or frequent access to a reinforcer, decreasing the value of that reinforcer. For example, when a client has been allowed to play their favorite game all day, the game will likely become less reinforcing.
Satiation
If you are implementing extinction on a behavior that is maintained by escape, how should you respond to the problem behavior?
Keep the demand
when he threw toys, his mom would help him pick them up while talking to him to calm him down. Following the BCBA’s plan, Liam’s mom now ignores the toy throwing and only gives attention once he begins picking up the toys himself. The first few days she tries this, Liam throws more toys and screams louder than before, but after a week, the behavior begins to decrease. What does Liam’s initial increase in toy throwing and screaming best represent?
Extinction burst