BCBA Foundations of Behavior Analysis — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best defines a behavior in applied behavior analysis (ABA)?
- Any thought or idea
- Only verbal statements
- Observable and measurable action (Correct answer)
- Responses recorded on paper
Correct answer: Observable and measurable action
In ABA, behavior is defined as any observable and measurable action made by a living organism.
Question 2: What is the principle of reinforcement?
- Punishment of inappropriate behavior
- Eliminating behavior with extinction
- Increasing behavior through consequences (Correct answer)
- Observing behavior for long durations
Correct answer: Increasing behavior through consequences
Reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behavior occurring again in the future by providing a consequence immediately following that behavior.
Question 3: Which of the following is an example of a discriminative stimulus (SD)?
- A child crying after a toy is taken
- A teacher giving a prompt
- A bell indicating recess time (Correct answer)
- Ignoring a behavior repeatedly
Correct answer: A bell indicating recess time
An SD signals the availability of reinforcement, increasing the probability that a specific behavior will occur.
Question 4: Which philosophy underpins the science of behavior analysis?
- Humanism
- Determinism (Correct answer)
- Existentialism
- Constructivism
Correct answer: Determinism
Determinism, the belief that the universe is a lawful and orderly place, is a foundational philosophy in behavior analysis.
Question 5: Which is a key element of respondent conditioning?
- Consequence manipulation
- Stimulus pairing (Correct answer)
- Token reinforcement
- Response cost
Correct answer: Stimulus pairing
Respondent conditioning, also called classical conditioning, involves pairing a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus to produce a conditioned response.
Question 6: What does the term 'environment' refer to in behavior analysis?
- Only the physical surroundings
- The internal thoughts of a person
- Events and conditions influencing behavior (Correct answer)
- Genetic factors only
Correct answer: Events and conditions influencing behavior
In ABA, the environment includes all external conditions and stimuli that affect a behavior.
BCBA Foundations of Behavior Analysis
Which of the following best defines a behavior in applied behavior analysis (ABA)?