Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Practice Test

What is the natural consequence for Jim's behavior after learning to say, "Hello, how are you?"

1. Praise from his teacher

2. Responses of the people he meets

3. Increased social interaction

4. Positive reinforcement

The correct answer is: Responses of the people he meets

The natural consequence for Jim's behavior after he learns to say, "Hello, how are you?" is that he receives responses from the people he meets. This option accurately reflects a direct and organic outcome of Jim's behavior in a social context. When he uses this phrase, it serves as a social greeting that invites a reply, thus promoting interaction. Responses from others are inherently connected to the communicative act of greeting; they reinforce the social skills Jim is trying to develop. This direct interaction with peers or adults in his environment is a fundamental aspect of social learning, where the act of greeting leads to reciprocal behavior, fostering communication skills and social engagement. The other options, while they may also occur as a result of his greeting, do not represent as immediate or intrinsic a consequence. For instance, praise from a teacher could be an external reinforcement but does not directly stem from the social interaction itself; it is more of an added reinforcement from authority rather than a natural response from peers. Increased social interaction and positive reinforcement can be outcomes of Jim learning to greet others, but they are not the immediate effect of his behavior in the moment he uses the greeting phrase.