RBT Initial Competency Assessment 2020 (+ ABA
Vocab Review)
Continuous Measurement ans: Recording each and every occurrence of a behavior during a prescribed
period. Continuous measurement is conducted in a manner such that all instances of the response
class(es) of interest are detected during the observation period.
Response Class ans: A group of responses with the same function.
What are the different types of continuous measurement in ABA? ans: Frequency, Duration, Latency, IRT
What is frequency recording? ans: Count (how many times a behavior occurs).
What's an example of frequency recording? ans: Tommy taps his pencil 10 times. Frequency = 10.
What is duration recording? ans: Length (how long response lasts).
What's an example of duration recording? ans: Tommy wanders the room for 30 minutes. Duration = 30
minutes.
What is latency recording? ans: Time from onset of a stimulus to start of a response.
What is an example of latency recording? ans: Stimulus: "sit down". Response: client begins to sit down
after 20 seconds. Latency = 20 seconds.
What is the difference between duration and latency recording? ans: Latency is how long it takes to start
the behavior and duration is how long the behavior lasts.
What is IRT (inter-response time) recording? ans: The time between the end of one response and the
start of another response
What is discontinuous measurement? ans: Recording only some instances of behavior at predetermined
intervals.
What is partial interval recording? ans: Recording the occurrence or non-occurrence of a behavior (not
length or number of times of behavior, just whether it occurred or not).
What is an example of partial interval recording? ans: You are observing behavior during a five minute
interval to see whether a client raises their hand. Three minutes in, client raises their hand. You mark
that behavior was observed during the interval.
What is whole interval recording? ans: Records whether the behavior occurred the ENTIRE TIME during
the interval.
What is an example of whole interval recording? ans: You are observing whether a client stays in their
seat. If at any time during the five minute interval, they get out of their seat, you mark "no". If they stay
, in their seat the ENTIRE TIME, you mark "yes". You are not recording instances of a behavior, but rather
whether the behavior occurred for the DURATION of the interval.
What is momentary time sampling? ans: Recording behavior during a moment in time.
What's an example of momentary time sampling? ans: You are observing behavior to see whether a
child throws their pencil. At the end of every five minute interval, you record whether the behavior is
occurring at that very moment.
What is the difference between momentary time sampling and partial interval recording? ans: In partial
interval recording, you mark whether the behavior occurred AT ALL during the short observation
interval. In momentary time sampling, you look up immediately at pre-designated points in time and
notice whether the behavior is occurring at that precise moment.
What is a preference assessment? ans: A preference assessment is a method to identify highly preferred
items or actions that can be used as reinforcers.
What are some different types of preference assessments? ans: Multiple Stimulus without Replacement,
Multiple Stimulus with Replacement, paired stimulus, single stimulus, and free operant
What is a multiple stimulus without replacement (MSWO) preference assessment? ans: In this
assessment, the client is presented with an array of items (this is a "trial"). The client is allowed to
choose one item. After playing with that item, it is removed from the group and the array is presented
again. The trials continue until all items have been removed. Theoretically, the items chosen during the
first trials are the most preferred items.
What is a multiple stimulus with replacement (MSW) preference assessment? ans: In this assessment,
the client is presented with an array of items and allowed to choose one. The item that is chosen is kept
while all other items are replaced with new items. This trial repeats until a set number of trials has been
reached, or all items have been used. The items chosen the most should be the most preferred items.
What is a paired stimulus preference assessment? ans: In this assessment, the client is presented with a
pair of items and allowed to choose one. This trial is repeated with new combinations until every object
has been paired with every other object. The items selected the most during these trials should be the
most preferred items.
What is a single stimulus preference assessment? ans: In this assessment, the client is presented with
one item at a time. These trials continue until the client consistently rejects items, or all items have been
presented. The items that are interacted with the longest or not rejected should be the most preferred
items.
What is a free operant preference assessment? ans: Naturalistic:
Client is observed interacting organically with their environment; for example, a teacher may observe a
client at a free play station for a set period of time.
Contrived:
A predetermined number of items are placed within sight and reach of the child.
Vocab Review)
Continuous Measurement ans: Recording each and every occurrence of a behavior during a prescribed
period. Continuous measurement is conducted in a manner such that all instances of the response
class(es) of interest are detected during the observation period.
Response Class ans: A group of responses with the same function.
What are the different types of continuous measurement in ABA? ans: Frequency, Duration, Latency, IRT
What is frequency recording? ans: Count (how many times a behavior occurs).
What's an example of frequency recording? ans: Tommy taps his pencil 10 times. Frequency = 10.
What is duration recording? ans: Length (how long response lasts).
What's an example of duration recording? ans: Tommy wanders the room for 30 minutes. Duration = 30
minutes.
What is latency recording? ans: Time from onset of a stimulus to start of a response.
What is an example of latency recording? ans: Stimulus: "sit down". Response: client begins to sit down
after 20 seconds. Latency = 20 seconds.
What is the difference between duration and latency recording? ans: Latency is how long it takes to start
the behavior and duration is how long the behavior lasts.
What is IRT (inter-response time) recording? ans: The time between the end of one response and the
start of another response
What is discontinuous measurement? ans: Recording only some instances of behavior at predetermined
intervals.
What is partial interval recording? ans: Recording the occurrence or non-occurrence of a behavior (not
length or number of times of behavior, just whether it occurred or not).
What is an example of partial interval recording? ans: You are observing behavior during a five minute
interval to see whether a client raises their hand. Three minutes in, client raises their hand. You mark
that behavior was observed during the interval.
What is whole interval recording? ans: Records whether the behavior occurred the ENTIRE TIME during
the interval.
What is an example of whole interval recording? ans: You are observing whether a client stays in their
seat. If at any time during the five minute interval, they get out of their seat, you mark "no". If they stay
, in their seat the ENTIRE TIME, you mark "yes". You are not recording instances of a behavior, but rather
whether the behavior occurred for the DURATION of the interval.
What is momentary time sampling? ans: Recording behavior during a moment in time.
What's an example of momentary time sampling? ans: You are observing behavior to see whether a
child throws their pencil. At the end of every five minute interval, you record whether the behavior is
occurring at that very moment.
What is the difference between momentary time sampling and partial interval recording? ans: In partial
interval recording, you mark whether the behavior occurred AT ALL during the short observation
interval. In momentary time sampling, you look up immediately at pre-designated points in time and
notice whether the behavior is occurring at that precise moment.
What is a preference assessment? ans: A preference assessment is a method to identify highly preferred
items or actions that can be used as reinforcers.
What are some different types of preference assessments? ans: Multiple Stimulus without Replacement,
Multiple Stimulus with Replacement, paired stimulus, single stimulus, and free operant
What is a multiple stimulus without replacement (MSWO) preference assessment? ans: In this
assessment, the client is presented with an array of items (this is a "trial"). The client is allowed to
choose one item. After playing with that item, it is removed from the group and the array is presented
again. The trials continue until all items have been removed. Theoretically, the items chosen during the
first trials are the most preferred items.
What is a multiple stimulus with replacement (MSW) preference assessment? ans: In this assessment,
the client is presented with an array of items and allowed to choose one. The item that is chosen is kept
while all other items are replaced with new items. This trial repeats until a set number of trials has been
reached, or all items have been used. The items chosen the most should be the most preferred items.
What is a paired stimulus preference assessment? ans: In this assessment, the client is presented with a
pair of items and allowed to choose one. This trial is repeated with new combinations until every object
has been paired with every other object. The items selected the most during these trials should be the
most preferred items.
What is a single stimulus preference assessment? ans: In this assessment, the client is presented with
one item at a time. These trials continue until the client consistently rejects items, or all items have been
presented. The items that are interacted with the longest or not rejected should be the most preferred
items.
What is a free operant preference assessment? ans: Naturalistic:
Client is observed interacting organically with their environment; for example, a teacher may observe a
client at a free play station for a set period of time.
Contrived:
A predetermined number of items are placed within sight and reach of the child.
