module 1

Question 1

aba

Answer 1

systematic approach to understanding behavior of social importance

Question 2

aba as practice

Answer 2

applying behavior analysis to improve social behaviors

how environment changes and affects the behavior

Question 3

good teaching

Answer 3

provides motivation 
gives clear and accurate feedback 
provides assistance when necessary 
developing independence 
adjust teaching strategies based upon the child

Question 4

components of a good teacher

Answer 4

fun 
receptive
systematic
adaptable/flexible 
objective
analytic
engaging
professional
tireless worker
creative
reinforcing
widely competent
big picture vs. little picture 
child driven 
conceptual history

Question 5

Quality staff

Answer 5

optimal progress
- well trained (knowledge and performance)
- high degree of fidelity
Not about what staff can say rather than what they can do

Question 6

Edward L. Thorndike

Answer 6

action brings a reward
law of effect: behavior changes because of its consequences
learning curves: how quickly you can learn a new behavior
law recency
trial and error learning
all mammals learn in a similar manner (the environment leads a behavior)

Question 7

Ivan Pavlov

Answer 7

classical conditioning
any sight, smell, etc. can affect how we react
how the environment affects behavior
systematic desensitization

Question 8

Respondent Conditioning

Answer 8

unconditioned stimulus creates a conditioned response

we can do a conditioned stimulus to create a conditioned response too

Question 9

John B. Watson

Answer 9

“Father of behaviorism”
Conditioned Emotional Responding
Focused Psychology on Behavior Instead of Consciousness
Analysis of Language

Question 10

B.F. Skinner

Answer 10

contingent (dependent on. if, than relation)
selection by consequences
- operant conditioning
- behavior is learned through interactions with the environment
- events that occur immediately following the behavior affect the likelihood of that behavior in the future
satiation and deprivation
shaping
analysis of verbal behavior
cultural selection

Question 11

Seven Dimensions of ABA

Answer 11

Applied 
Behavior
Analytic
Technological 
Conceptually Systematic 
Effective 
Generality

Question 12

Applied

Answer 12

socially significant to the learner.

Question 13

Behavioral

Answer 13

we can be brought to do rather than what they can be brought to say
observe behavior through precise measurements (accurate and reliable data collection)
Who’s behavior has changed? our expectations or the learners actions?

Question 14

Analytic

Answer 14

want to make sure we are showing a demonstration that is believable

Question 15

Technological

Answer 15

need to be able to describe behavior and procedures in a way that others can read and replicate

Question 16

Conceptual systems

Answer 16

tying it back to the principles of aba

important because you need to have the science behind what your doing

Question 17

effective

Answer 17

means you are making a meaningful and efficient change

Question 18

generality

Answer 18

they can apply the skills you help them teach in everyday life, not just specific situations

Question 19

Lovaas (1987)

Answer 19

38 children independently diagnosed with ASD
began treatment before 4 years old
19 children received average of 40 hours of formal, quality aba intervention a week
19 children received average of 10 hours formal, quality aba intervention a week and other treatments
received intervention for 2 or more years
intervened at home, school and community

evaluating outcomes:
poor, fair, best.
average 40 hour group: poor 2, 8 fair, 9 best
average 10 hour: poor 11, 8 fair, 0 best
0 hours: 10 poor, 10 fair, 1 best

Question 20

Range of ABA

Answer 20

Rigid: protocol driven. very detailed and structured.
oppositie end: lackadaisical:
structured yet flexible is ideal: have game plan and what your doing but you have the flexibility to change based on the learner and environment

Question 21

There is rigid and there is bad aba

Answer 21

focuses on irrelevant curriculum (should have big picture outcome)
primarily uses food reinforcers 
unnatural teaching techniques
primarily works in a therapy room 
eliminates all distractions
does not promote parental expertise 
endorses alternative treatments
staff are not properly trained 
not the proper dosage of treatment intensity

Question 22

ABA is a science and therefore is progressive

Answer 22

progressive aba:
model of aba that can be implemented with individuals with asd
can be done outside of autism too
science and art
originates from our founding parents
a continuum of intervention (under what conditions do we have to have more rigid vs. more relaxed protocols)
attempts to avoid rigidity and set protocols
boils down to clinical judgment

Question 23

clinical judgment

Answer 23

the rbt uses clinical judgment

you use clinical judgment in so many areas of life too: coaches, chefs, wine makers, navigating traffic, psychology

Question 24

Clinical Judgment

Answer 24

interfering behaviors
functions of behaviors (why is the behavior occurring)
Attentiveness of student 
Receptivity
Calm v. agitated
Past performance
Motivation
Non Verbal Behavior 
Staff Skill Level (need to know what you are good and not good at)
Child's Persistence 
Child's Health
Operant vs. Respondent behavior (more emotional responses)

Question 25

ABA was the wild west

Answer 25

untrained behavior analysts
primary motivation was monetary 
poor quality intervention
the field of aba being harmed
ASD individuals were not making meaningful gains

Question 26

Van Houten et al. (1988)

Answer 26

right to a therapeutic environment
right to overall goal of personal welfare (for learner)
right to programs that teach functional skills
right to behavioral assessment and ongoing evaluation
right to most effective treatment procedures available

Question 27

Behavior Analyst Certification Board BACB

Answer 27

created in 1988
effort to: 
provide consumers with basic credential 
increase quality behavior analysis
increase amount of behavior analytic services
Not an ASD specific certification
two levels: BCBA, BCaBA
Drastic Increase over the years

Question 28

Supervision of an RBT

Answer 28

5% of hours spent providing behavior-analytic service per month

Question 29

structure of supervision

Answer 29

2 face to face
1 meeting the rbt must provide interventions
1 of meetings have to be individual meetings

Question 30

Role of RBT

Answer 30

ideally a tiered system:

you provide direct instruction

Question 31

Responsibilities of an RBT

Answer 31

direct instruction to client, working in schools, working in group homes, communicate with caregivers, can help with training of staff

Question 32

Concerns

Answer 32

amount of training- not enough 
narrowness of the task list
assessment procedures
dual relationships
unintended consequences