Applied Behavior Analysis Technician (ABAT) Practice Test

What are the two primary forms of reinforcement in behavior analysis?

1. Positive and secondary

2. Positive and negative

3. Primary and secondary

4. Unconditioned and conditioned

The correct answer is: Positive and negative

In behavior analysis, the two primary forms of reinforcement are positive and negative reinforcement. Positive reinforcement involves the introduction of a favorable stimulus following a desired behavior, which increases the likelihood that the behavior will occur again in the future. For example, if a child receives praise for completing homework, they are more likely to repeat that behavior due to the positive outcome associated with it. On the other hand, negative reinforcement involves the removal of an aversive stimulus when a desired behavior occurs, which also increases the likelihood of that behavior being repeated. For instance, if a teenager cleans their room to avoid being nagged by a parent, the removal of the nagging (the aversive stimulus) reinforces the behavior of keeping the room clean. While the other options contain terms related to reinforcement, they do not represent the primary forms as clearly. Secondary reinforcements are learned and not inherently rewarding, which makes them less foundational than positive and negative reinforcement. Primary and secondary refer to different categories of reinforcers based on their intrinsic value, and unconditioned and conditioned describe types of stimuli rather than forms of reinforcement. Understanding these two forms of reinforcement is essential as they underpin many strategies used in Applied Behavior Analysis to promote desired behaviors.