ABA Exam Coach

H.3: Select socially valid alternative behavior to be established or increased when a target behavior is to be decreased.

Free practice questions for this part of the BCBA, with an explanation for every option.

An FBA shows that a 2nd grader's calling out during lessons is maintained by teacher attention. Which alternative behavior is the most socially valid choice to strengthen?
  1. A. Putting his head down on the desk when he wants attention
    This isn't an acceptable classroom behavior, and it doesn't reliably produce attention.
  2. B. Sitting silently for the entire 45-minute lesson
    Sitting silently is closer to the absence of behavior, doesn't access attention, and is too demanding at first.
  3. C. Engaging in a preferred fidget activity unrelated to the lesson
    A fidget activity doesn't serve the attention function, so it won't compete with calling out.
  4. D. Raising his hand and waiting to be called on, with teacher attention delivered contingently
    Correct. Hand raising produces the same reinforcer (attention), is appropriate in a classroom, and is likely to be reinforced by the natural classroom contingencies.
A minimally verbal 7-year-old who uses single words throws materials to escape tasks. The team is choosing an initial replacement response for functional communication training. Which choice is best?
  1. A. Saying, 'Excuse me, may I please have a short break now?'
    A full sentence is far beyond the child's current verbal repertoire, so the response is effortful and unlikely to compete.
  2. B. Sitting quietly with hands in lap for 5 minutes to earn a break
    This is closer to the absence of behavior, requires a long delay, and is not a communicative response.
  3. C. Handing a 'break' card to the instructor, reinforced right away with a brief break
    Correct. A low-effort response that reliably and immediately produces escape is more efficient than throwing, so it is more likely to replace it. Task demands can be increased gradually later.
  4. D. Completing a 20-minute worksheet without disruption to earn a break
    This response takes much more effort and gets reinforced much later than throwing, so throwing stays the more efficient option.
A 19-year-old in supported employment engages in loud vocal stereotypy at his workstation, and the behavior persists in an alone condition. Which alternative behavior is the most socially valid to establish?
  1. A. Sitting with hands folded and remaining silent
    Silence isn't an active alternative and doesn't provide competing stimulation. It is also unlikely to be maintained.
  2. B. Humming quietly every few minutes
    Humming may still disrupt coworkers and is close to the target behavior topographically.
  3. C. Leaving the workstation for a break whenever stereotypy occurs
    Breaks contingent on stereotypy could reinforce the problem behavior, and they reduce productive work time.
  4. D. Listening to preferred music through headphones while working
    Correct. Headphone music provides matched auditory stimulation in a way that is acceptable in a workplace, so it can compete with automatically reinforced vocal stereotypy.

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