BCBA Exam Study Questions with 100% Correct Answers

Goals of behavior analysis 1. Description 2. Prediction 3. Control Description Observations that can be quantified, classified and examined Prediction Repeated observations that show that the variables covary - no functional relation - suggests possibility - prediction allows for preparation Control Experimental demonstration that manipulating the IV causes another event - functional relation - highest level of understanding Philosophical assumptions 1. Determinism 2. Selectionism (ontogeny and phylogeny) 3. Empiricism 4. Experimentation 5. Replication 6. Parsimony 7. Philosophical doubt 8. Pragmatism Determinism Universe is lawful; everything that happens is a result of another event Selectionism 3 ways that the environment can apply itself upon a person. Ontogeny: shaped by occurrences in life (selection by consequences) Phlogeny: Natural evolution of species, passed on by generations Cultural: Passing behavior from one person to another by imitation and modeling Empiricism The objective observation of the phenomena of interest Experimentation Carefully conducted experiment to compare the dependent variable under 2 or more different conditions in which the IV varies from one condition to another