Final answer:
B. the reinforcement interval
The first thing a BCBA may adjust if students are not earning reinforcement in the Good Behavior Game is the reinforcement interval. This is done to better associate desired behavior with reinforcement, potentially using a variable interval reinforcement schedule for more consistent results.
Step-by-step explanation:
If students are not earning reinforcement in the Good Behavior Game, the first thing your Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) will likely consider adjusting is the reinforcement interval. When using operant conditioning, it's critical that the reinforcement schedule reinforces the desired behavior effectively. If the reinforcement interval is too long, students may not associate their behavior with the potential for reinforcement, reducing the effectiveness of the behavior modification strategy.
In the context of the Good Behavior Game, if the goal of the game is set properly and the group membership is conducive to learning and exhibiting the desired behavior, adjusting the reinforcement interval can be an effective method for increasing desirable behaviors. If the reinforcement is on a fixed interval schedule, it's delivered after a set amount of time. However, a variable interval reinforcement schedule, like in the example of Manuel and his restaurant crew, would mean that reinforcement is given at unpredictable time intervals, which can create a more consistent level of the desired behaviors.
Therefore, by modifying the interval of reinforcement, the BCBA aims to enhance the connection between the desired behavior and the reinforcement, making the behavior modification strategy more effective for the students.