Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Practice Test

What kind of reinforcement can maintain behavior over time by providing immediate feedback?

1. Delayed reinforcement

2. Continuous reinforcement

3. Variable ratio reinforcement

4. Fixed interval reinforcement

The correct answer is: Continuous reinforcement

Continuous reinforcement is the correct type of reinforcement that maintains behavior over time by providing immediate feedback. In a continuous reinforcement schedule, every instance of the desired behavior is reinforced. This consistent application of reinforcement ensures that the individual receives immediate feedback every time they exhibit the target behavior, making it more likely that the behavior will be repeated in the future. Immediate feedback is crucial because it helps the individual make a direct connection between their actions and the consequences, which facilitates learning and strengthens the behavior in question. In continuous reinforcement, since every occurrence of the behavior is followed by reinforcement, it effectively solidifies the response in the individual's repertoire. The other types of reinforcement, such as delayed reinforcement, variable ratio reinforcement, and fixed interval reinforcement, do not provide the same level of immediate feedback. Delayed reinforcement may weaken the connection between the behavior and the consequence, making it less effective for maintaining the behavior over time. Variable ratio and fixed interval schedules provide reinforcement after a certain number of responses or after a time period, respectively, which can lead to variability and unpredictability in reinforcement, potentially making them less effective for establishing and maintaining behavior as consistently as continuous reinforcement.