Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Practice Test

What procedure is exemplified by a child losing a star on his star chart for talking out in class?

1. Response cost

2. Time-out

3. Positive reinforcement

4. Extinction

The correct answer is: Response cost

The procedure exemplified by a child losing a star on his star chart for talking out in class is response cost. This is a form of negative punishment where a specific consequence (the loss of the star) is used to decrease the likelihood of an undesired behavior (talking out in class). In this scenario, the star chart likely serves as a visual representation of the child's positive behaviors and progress, and losing a star represents a reduction in this reinforcement, thereby encouraging the child to adhere to classroom rules and expectations. Response cost is effective because it provides immediate feedback to the child about their behavior. It is important in behavioral interventions because it can help children understand the direct consequences of their actions, promoting self-regulation and accountability in a structured environment. By removing a reinforcing element (the star), the intervention seeks to decrease the occurrence of the behavior that prompted the consequence, aligning with the principles of behavior modification used by behavior analysts.