Applied Behavior Analysis Technician (ABAT) Practice Test

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare efficiently for the Applied Behavior Analysis Technician Exam. Engage with multiple choice questions and insightful explanations. Start mastering your knowledge today!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What is the primary effect of operant conditioning?

Selective effects of environmental conditions on behavior
Selective effects of consequences on behavior
Flexible effects of rewards on motivation
Inconsistent results from punishments

The correct answer is: Selective effects of consequences on behavior

The primary effect of operant conditioning is the selective effects of consequences on behavior. In this learning process, behaviors are modified through the use of reinforcement or punishment. When a behavior is followed by a favorable consequence (reinforcement), it is more likely to be repeated in the future. Conversely, if a behavior is followed by an unfavorable consequence (punishment), it is less likely to occur again. This relationship highlights how specific consequences directly influence the likelihood of a behavior being repeated, which is the essence of operant conditioning. Understanding this mechanism is crucial as it underpins many techniques used in applied behavior analysis. It emphasizes the importance of carefully considering what consequences are applied to behaviors during interventions. This focused approach to modifying behavior through consequences distinguishes operant conditioning from other learning theories, which may not account as explicitly for the role of outcomes in reinforcing or discouraging behaviors.