E-2.15 Minimizing Risk of Behavior Change Interventions

Which does NOT require behavior analysis services, but MAY be an effective intervention?

(all of the above) - 1. changing supervision arrangements 2. reducing the noise level 3. rearranging the furniture

Which does NOT require behavior analysis services, but MAY be an effective intervention?

(all of the above) - 1. modeling appropriate behavior and giving clear instructions 2. prompts and redirecting problem behavior 3. allowing individuals to participate in goal-setting

Which does NOT require behavior analysis services, but MAY be an effective intervention?

(all of the above) - 1. provide choice and a highly reinforcing environment 2. activity schedules and appropriate task demands 3. set and teach positive rules for behavior

When non-preferred tasks are presented, a child aggresses against his teacher. He is placed on a token system with response cost. What is missing?

The child should be given a reasonable means of escape from tasks.

A client suddenly begins dangerously aggressing towards his baby sister. An FBA determines that parental attention is the function of the behavior. The BCBA writes a plan that includes time-out for aggression, non-contingent parent attention every 10 minutes, and parent attention when requested. Is this ethical?

Yes, if the aggression is dangerous and as long as the plan includes reinforcement for an alternative behavior.

A decrease in a risk/benefit ratio means

a reduced risk or an increased benefit.

Which does NOT require behavior analysis services but MAY be an effective intervention?

asking someone to change their behavior

Problem behaviors

can sometimes be remedied without formal behavior analysis services.

Breaks are used to reward student performance. The BCBA determines that tokens are equally effective and are less disruptive than breaks. The teacher does not mind that the student takes breaks. The BCBA should

change the reinforcer from breaks to tokens, exchangeable for tangible items once a week.

When using aversive procedures it is advised to

determine a criterion for terminating the program should the data indicate a lack of efficacy.

When using aversive procedures, BCBAs should

employ a very high performance standard for training, implementation, and supervision related to the procedure.

A high general level of positive reinforcement

has been shown to reduce a wide array of problem behaviors.

An effective intervention to improve student behavior in schools, which does not require behavior analysis services, is to

have teachers greet each child by name and provide a positive statement.

When using aversive procedures, BCBAs

include a plan to stop use of the procedure when a specified criterion has been met.

For five months a BCBA has been treating self-injury using NCR, DRL, and DRA. Data show no reduction self-injury. After consulting with her experienced BCBA supervisor, she has written a strong punishment component. She has received peer review, ethics review, and parent approvals. The BCBA

is acting responsibly if the former plan was function-based and no other less aversive alternative plans were likely to be effective.

Select the MOST desirable risk/benefit ratio.

low/high

Which does NOT require behavior analysis services, but MAY be an effective intervention?

modeling appropriate behavior and activity schedules

You have reason to believe that praise, tokens (exchangeable for snack foods), and potato chips will all be equally effective as reinforcers. Use

praise.

Problem behavior can be reduced without behavior analysis services by

providing an enriched environment.

Which does NOT require behavior analysis services, but MAY be an effective intervention?

reducing the noise level

A DRO procedure, a DRI procedure, and an overcorrection procedure are all equally effective in reducing severe self-injury. The behavior analyst should select

the DRO or the DRI procedure because reinforcement should be used when possible.

Extinction for attention-maintained face-slapping can be ethically questionable because

the risk of injury from an extinction burst may be greater than the risk of injury from continued face-slapping.

A teacher is considering an extinction-based intervention for attention-maintained darting into traffic. She wants to implement the procedure in the relative safety of a parking lot. It is not advised because

the risk/benefit ratio is too great.