EDF 6223 EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS
2026 ASSESSMENT SCRIPT FULL ANSWERS
◉ response differentiation
Answer: the emergence of a new response class. when using
differential reinforcement, the reinforcement of one response causes
a spectrum of responses, each differing from the reinforced
response. reinforcing these responses produces still others, some of
which come closer to the response to be shaped. produce new
response classes
◉ successive approximation
Answer: the gradual and progressive criterion change for delivering
reinforcement for a behavior that is closer to the terminal behavior
than the response it replaces
◉ what happens if successive approximation criterion is set too low?
Answer: an excessive number of behaviors at the same behavior-
performance level will be reinforced, stalling progress
◉ what happens if successive approximation criterion is set too
high?
Answer: extinction occurs and progress is thwarted
,◉ performance dimensions that can be shaped
Answer: 1. topography: refining motor movements
2. rate: increasing number of correct responses
3. latency: decreasing compliance time between a directive
4. duration: increasing time spent on task
5. IRT: reducing rapid eating
6. magnitude: increasing projected voice volume
◉ shaping behavior across different response topographies
Answer: selected members of a response class are differentially
reinforced, whereas members of other response classes are placed
on extinction. practitioner gradually increases the criterion of
performance before delivering reinforcement
◉ shaping behavior within a response topography
Answer: the form of the behavior remains constant, but differential
reinforcement is applied to another measurable dimension of the
behavior (e.g., a teacher only reinforces life preserver tosses that are
within 2 meters of the target area, then only within arm's reach of
the target area)
◉ increasing shaping efficiency
Answer: 1. priming a response using an Sd
, 2. physical guidance
3. imitative prompts
4. percentile schedules
◉ shaping guidelines
Answer: 1. select the terminal behavior and define it precisely
2. determine the criterion for success
3. assess the response repertoire
4. identify behaviors to reinforce
5. eliminate interfering or extraneous stimuli
6. proceed gradually
7. limit the number of approximation at each level
8. continue to reinforce when terminal behavior is achieved
◉ behavior chain
Answer: a linked sequence of responses leading to a terminal
outcome. each response produces a stimulus change that functions
as conditioned reinforcement for that response and as a
discriminative stimulus for the next response in the chain.
reinforcement for the last response in a chain maintains the
reinforcing effectiveness of the stimulus changes produced by all
previous responses in the chain
2026 ASSESSMENT SCRIPT FULL ANSWERS
◉ response differentiation
Answer: the emergence of a new response class. when using
differential reinforcement, the reinforcement of one response causes
a spectrum of responses, each differing from the reinforced
response. reinforcing these responses produces still others, some of
which come closer to the response to be shaped. produce new
response classes
◉ successive approximation
Answer: the gradual and progressive criterion change for delivering
reinforcement for a behavior that is closer to the terminal behavior
than the response it replaces
◉ what happens if successive approximation criterion is set too low?
Answer: an excessive number of behaviors at the same behavior-
performance level will be reinforced, stalling progress
◉ what happens if successive approximation criterion is set too
high?
Answer: extinction occurs and progress is thwarted
,◉ performance dimensions that can be shaped
Answer: 1. topography: refining motor movements
2. rate: increasing number of correct responses
3. latency: decreasing compliance time between a directive
4. duration: increasing time spent on task
5. IRT: reducing rapid eating
6. magnitude: increasing projected voice volume
◉ shaping behavior across different response topographies
Answer: selected members of a response class are differentially
reinforced, whereas members of other response classes are placed
on extinction. practitioner gradually increases the criterion of
performance before delivering reinforcement
◉ shaping behavior within a response topography
Answer: the form of the behavior remains constant, but differential
reinforcement is applied to another measurable dimension of the
behavior (e.g., a teacher only reinforces life preserver tosses that are
within 2 meters of the target area, then only within arm's reach of
the target area)
◉ increasing shaping efficiency
Answer: 1. priming a response using an Sd
, 2. physical guidance
3. imitative prompts
4. percentile schedules
◉ shaping guidelines
Answer: 1. select the terminal behavior and define it precisely
2. determine the criterion for success
3. assess the response repertoire
4. identify behaviors to reinforce
5. eliminate interfering or extraneous stimuli
6. proceed gradually
7. limit the number of approximation at each level
8. continue to reinforce when terminal behavior is achieved
◉ behavior chain
Answer: a linked sequence of responses leading to a terminal
outcome. each response produces a stimulus change that functions
as conditioned reinforcement for that response and as a
discriminative stimulus for the next response in the chain.
reinforcement for the last response in a chain maintains the
reinforcing effectiveness of the stimulus changes produced by all
previous responses in the chain
