Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Practice Test

Which behavioral strategy encourages engaging in a preferred activity to increase the likelihood of performing a less preferred one?

1. The Premack principle

2. Positive punishment

3. Negative reinforcement

4. Functional analysis

The correct answer is: The Premack principle

The Premack principle is the correct choice because it is based on the idea that a more probable behavior can reinforce a less probable behavior. This principle states that engaging in a preferred or high-probability activity can serve as a reward for completing a less preferred or low-probability activity. For example, if a child enjoys playing video games but finds homework to be less enjoyable, allowing the child to play video games after finishing their homework encourages them to complete the less preferred task. The other strategies do not align with this concept. Positive punishment involves adding an aversive stimulus to decrease the likelihood of a behavior, which does not promote engagement in more favorable activities. Negative reinforcement refers to the removal of an aversive stimulus to increase a desirable behavior, but it does not require the engagement in a preferred activity as a motivator for a less preferred one. Functional analysis is a method of assessing behavior to understand its function, not a strategy for behavior modification. Thus, the Premack principle specifically captures the essence of using a preferred activity to facilitate the performance of a less preferred one.