Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) — Question 9

Narrative recording indicates the following:
Sequence #1:
As Dad goes to change Rita's diaper, Mike screams. Dad puts Rita down, moves towards Mike, and tells him "be quiet."
Sequence #2:
Mom is sitting next to Mike when the phone rings. She gets up, answers the phone, and starts talking to a friend. Mike starts screaming. Mom tells the friend good- bye and hangs up the phone. She then goes to Mike and tells him to stop screaming.
Which is the MOST plausible hypothesis? Mom and Dad's behavior is most likely

Answer options

• A. being negatively reinforced by escape.
• B. being positively reinforced by attention.
• C. elicited by separation anxiety.
• D. evoked by feelings of jealousy.

Correct answer: A

Explanation

The correct answer, A, suggests that Dad and Mom's actions are influenced by a desire to escape the unpleasant situation created by Mike's screaming. The other options do not accurately reflect the context; B implies they are seeking attention, C suggests separation anxiety which is not indicated, and D about jealousy is not supported by the scenarios presented.