Question 1

A behavior analyst is working with an adult client, who is deemed competent. There are multiple potential behavior targets that need to be addressed including smoking cigarettes, nail biting, and compulsive hand washing. As a first goal, the behavior analyst wants the client to focus on eliminating smoking but the client would prefer to focus on nail biting. The behavior analyst should.

Adevelop a self-management plan for eliminating nail biting as this is the preference of the client.

Bdevelop a self-management plan for eliminating smoking as this behavior poses a serious health risk for the client.

Cconvince the client to change their first goal to elimination of smoking.

Drefer the client to another behavior analyst as there is a discrepancy in goal setting priorities.

Answer : A

Question 2

A behavioral assessment indicates that the problem behavior of a young woman is maintained by others bringing things to her or taking things away following occurrence of the behavior. Since the behavior results in physical injury, the decision to decrease its occurrence has been made. Which is the BEST general approach?

ADetermine a potential punisher and deliver it following every occurrence of the behavior, but do not provide or remove other things following the occurrence.

BPrevent the behavior by physically blocking each response.

CStop providing or removing things following the behavior and allow it to undergo extinction.

DUse protective equipment that prevents injury and establish a replacement behavior that results in things being provided to or removed from the woman.

Answer : D

Question 3

A behavior analyst responsible for the evaluation of a behavior change program has been unable to get others to collect data on the targeted behaviors. The others involved, including other service providers, are relying on personal anecdotes and questionnaires to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. The primary consumer reports satisfaction with the results so far. To evaluate the program, the behavior analyst should:

Acheck the reliability from the questionnaire's information.

Bconduct formal interviews to supplement the available information.

Cobtain data on the targeted behaviors.

Duse available information only.

Answer : C

Question 4

Marvell is working on a new case with a student who refuses to attend school. Before deciding on a treatment plan, Marvell schedules interviews and observation sessions. This is an example of which assumption of behavior analysis?

Adeterminism

Bempiricism

Cskepticism

Dparsimony

Answer : B

Question 5

The behavior analyst reviews Sandra's data and concludes that her behavior is spontaneous; that is, it occurs randomly, and not as a result of any other event(s).

Which of the assumptions underlying behavior analysis has been violated in this interpretation?