Sample interview questions: Can you explain the concept of behavioral momentum and how it can be applied in behavior analysis?
Sample answer:
Concept of Behavioral Momentum
Behavioral momentum refers to the tendency for a behavior to increase in frequency and intensity as it is reinforced. This concept is based on the idea that behaviors are shaped by their consequences, and that behaviors that are followed by positive consequences are more likely to be repeated, while behaviors that are followed by negative consequences are less likely to be repeated.
Application in Behavior Analysis
The concept of behavioral momentum has a number of applications in behavior analysis, including:
Antecedent Manipulation:
By identifying and manipulating the antecedents that trigger a particular behavior, behavior analysts can increase or decrease the likelihood that the behavior will occur.
Behavioral Shaping:
Behavioral shaping is a technique that involves reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior until the target behavior is achieved. Behavioral momentum can be used to accelerate the shaping process by providing more frequent and immediate reinforcement for each successive approximation.
Behavioral Extinction:
Behavioral extinction is a technique that involves withholding reinforcement for a behavior in order to decrease its frequency. Behavioral momentum can be used to make extinction more effective by gradually reducing the frequency of reinforcement rather than abruptly stopping it altogether.
Behavioral Maintenance:
Behavioral momentum can be used to maintain a desired behavior by providing ongoing reinforcement. This can help to p… Read full answer