Question
Difficulty: medium. Skill: apply. Type: applied scenario.
Child is learning asking for a break, but performance changes depending on prompts and consequences. Which procedure best fits trial-based and free-operant procedures? The case file includes 6 recent sessions, 2 implementers, and 2 settings.
AContinue unchanged and ignore the new contextual information
BAdd a punishment procedure before clarifying function, risk, or feasibility
CArrange teaching trials so the relevant antecedent controls the response and errors can be corrected in relation to child's asking for a breakCorrect answer
DUse the descriptive label as the explanation and treatment target
Explanation
Answer CThe clue is the combination of caregiver notes plus one direct observation, dropping to the floor when demands are presented, and the required task: Trial-based and free-operant procedures. The case file includes 6 recent sessions, 2 implementers, and 2 settings. Arrange teaching trials so the relevant antecedent controls the response and errors can be corrected in relation to child's asking for a break is best because it answers that clue through discrimination and stimulus-control teaching procedures instead of treating the scenario as a generic behavior problem. On exam items like this, name the decision point first, then eliminate options that rely on one report, a label, a familiar protocol, or an action that skips the relevant data check.
Why this question is hard
ClueKey scenario clueThe clue is the combination of caregiver notes plus one direct observation, dropping to the floor when demands are presented, and the required task: Trial-based and free-operant procedures. The case file includes 6 recent sessions, 2 implementers, and 2 settings.
TrapCommon trapIgnoring relevant data or context prevents a defensible behavior-analytic decision.
NextIf you missed it, review Discrimination and stimulus-control teaching proceduresThen answer a few related scenarios before moving back to broad practice.
Why the other choices are weaker
AChoice AIgnoring relevant data or context prevents a defensible behavior-analytic decision.
BChoice BA punishment-first response is weaker when less intrusive, function-based, or assessment steps have not been addressed.
DChoice DA label is not enough; the decision should be based on observable behavior and relevant variables.
Study tags
Discrimination and stimulus-control teaching proceduresTrial-based and free-operant proceduressimple discriminationconditional discrimination
Related concept pages
Turn this into a study plan
If this question felt difficult, practice a short drill from Behavior-Change Procedures and use the review page to turn missed items into a weak-area plan.
Practice interactively
Try more BCBA scenario questions in the interactive practice mode, then use review tools to track missed domains and flagged items.