Applied Behavior Analysis Technician (ABAT) Practice Test

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What is the purpose of punishment in behavior analysis?

To increase the frequency of a behavior
To deliver a consequence for behavior to decrease its occurrence
To reinforce positive behaviors
To establish a new behavior

The correct answer is: To deliver a consequence for behavior to decrease its occurrence

The purpose of punishment in behavior analysis is to deliver a consequence for a behavior that decreases its occurrence. This process involves applying a negative consequence following an undesired behavior to reduce the likelihood of that behavior happening again in the future. This can take the form of positive punishment, where an undesirable stimulus is introduced, or negative punishment, where a desirable stimulus is removed, both of which aim to decrease the frequency of the target behavior. The focus on decreasing behavior is key, as punishment is distinct from reinforcement, which aims to increase behavior. The other options center around increasing behavior or establishing new behavior, which are functions of reinforcement rather than punishment. This clarity in distinguishing between the functions of reinforcement and punishment is vital in the application of behavior analysis techniques.