Goals of ABA
What is description in behavior analysis?
Objective measurement and definition of behavior
Behavior occurs for a reason and is lawful.
Determinism
Radical behaviorism denies the existence of thoughts and feelings.
False: It treats private events (thoughts, feelings) as behavior subject to the same principles as observable behavior.
Match each term to its description:
A. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
B. Experimental Analysis of Behavior (EAB)
C. Behaviorism
_____ A scientific philosophy about behavior and how it is selected
_____ Focuses on discovering basic principles of behavior through controlled research
_____ Applies behavioral principles to socially significant behavior change
1.C 2.B 3.A
Which situation best represents Applied behavior analysis?
A. Studying lever-pressing in rats
B. Teaching a child to request a break instead of engaging in aggression
C. Measuring neural activity during learning
D. Reading about behavior change theories
B: Teaching a child to request a break instead of engaging in aggression
What is prediction in behavior analysis?
Identifying reliable patterns of when behavior occurs
Knowledge must be based on observable data.
Empiricism
According to radical behaviorism, private events are:
A. Mental causes of behavior
B. Unscientific and ignored
C. Behaviors influenced by environmental variables
D. The primary focus of analysis
C Behaviors influenced by environmental variables
Which discipline is MOST concerned with social significance and real-world impact?
A. EAB
B. Behaviorism
C. ABA
D. Radical behaviorism
ABA
ABA is considered analytic when a _________ relationship is demonstrated between the intervention and behavior change.
Functional (or experimental)
What is control in behavior analysis?
Changing behavior by manipulating environmental variables ethically
The simplest explanation should be preferred.
Parsimony
Unlike methodological behaviorism, radical behaviorism includes __________ as legitimate subject matter.
Private events (e.g., thoughts, feelings, sensations)
Behaviorism serves as the __________ foundation for both ABA and EAB.
Philosophical
An intervention is conceptually systematic if it is clearly linked to established behavioral principles (e.g., reinforcement, extinction).
True
A BCBA writes: “Client engaged in screaming lasting 45 seconds following task presentation.” Which goal is this?
Description
A BCBA collects data for 3 weeks before changing a program. Which assumption is demonstrated?
Empiricism
Radical behaviorism prioritizes __________ over hypothetical constructs when explaining behavior.
Observable relationships between behavior and the environment
ABA interventions must be conceptually systematic, meaning they are clearly linked to __________ principles discovered through __________.
Behavioral; EAB
A learner’s behavior decreases by 50%, but caregivers report no meaningful improvement in daily life.
Is this intervention effective according to ABA standards?
No — effectiveness requires socially significant change.
A BCBA notices tantrums always occur when work is difficult and changes task difficulty to reduce tantrums. Which goal moved from prediction to control?
Prediction → Control
A team assumes behavior is caused by “bad attitude” instead of observable variables. Which assumption is violated?
Determinism (and empiricism)
Which of the following is MOST consistent with radical behaviorism?
A. “Behavior occurs because of mental representations.”
B. “Thoughts cause behavior.”
C. “Private events are behaviors influenced by environmental contingencies.”
D. “Internal states must be measured directly to be scientific.”
C: “Private events are behaviors influenced by environmental contingencies.”
A BCBA explains that a learner’s self-talk is behavior influenced by reinforcement history, not a mental cause.
This perspective aligns MOST with:
A. Methodological behaviorism
B. Cognitive psychology
C. Radical behaviorism
D. EAB
C
Which dimension is MOST often compromised when procedures are poorly written?
Technological