BCBA Exam Section 1: Foundational
Knowledge CORRECT 100%
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) - ANSWERScientific approach for discovering
environmental variables that reliably influence socially-significant Bx and for
developing technology of Bx change that is practical and applicable. ABA is an
applied science.
3 Levels of Scientific Understanding - ANSWERDPC - Description, Prediction,
Control
Description - ANSWERSystematic observations that can be quantified and classified.
One of the 3 levels of scientific understanding.
Prediction - ANSWERTwo events may regularly occur at the same time. AKA,
covariation, correlation. One of the 3 levels of scientific understanding.
Definition of Science - ANSWERSystematic approach for seeking and organizing
knowledge about the natural world. It's based on determinism.
Purpose of Science - ANSWERTo achieve a thorough understanding of the
phenomena under study. In ABA, the phenomena are socially-important Bx.
Control - ANSWERFunctional relation. Experimental demonstration that manipulating
one event results in another event. AKA, causation. The highest level of scientific
understanding.
6 Attitudes of Science/Philosophical Assumptions - ANSWERDEERPP -
Determinism, Empiricism, Experimentation, Replication, Parsimony, Philosophical
Doubt.
Determinism - ANSWERThe world is an orderly, predictable place. Cause/effect.
If/then.
Empiricism - ANSWERFacts, experimental, data-based, driven by observation and
experience. Requires quantification and detailed description.
Experimental - ANSWERRequires manipulation of variables to see the effects on the
dependent variable. The basic strategy of most sciences. AKA, experimental
Analysis.
Replication - ANSWERRepeating experiments. The method used to determine
reliability and discover mistakes. Makes science a self-correcting enterprise.
Parsimony - ANSWERSimplest theory. Rule out simple/logical explanations before
considering more complex ones. Helps scientists fit findings in knowledge base.
, Philosophical Doubt - ANSWERHealthy skepticism and critical eye about the results
of studies and your work with clients.
7 Dimensions of ABA - ANSWERBATCAGE - Behavioral, Applied, Technological,
Conceptually Systematic, Analytical, Generality, Effective. Defined by Baer, Wolf, &
Risley in 1968.
3 Types of Mentalism - ANSWERHEC - Hypothetical Constructs, Explanatory
Fictions, Circular Reasoning
Mentalism - ANSWERAn approach to explaining Bx that assumes an inner
dimension exists that causes Bx. Traditional psychology is dominated by mentalism.
AKA, spiritual, psychic, subjective, feelings, attitudes, processing.
When was JABA first published? - ANSWER1968
Behavioral - ANSWERObservable and measurable events. The Bx one chooses
MUST be the Bx in need of improvement.
Applied - ANSWERImproves client's everyday life. Improves socially-significant Bx.
Helps significant others behave more positively toward client.
Technological - ANSWERDefines procedures clearly and in detail so they're
replicable.
Conceptually Systematic - ANSWERAll procedures are tied to the principles of ABA.
Analytical - ANSWERA functional relation is demonstrated. Ultimate issue is
believability - is the experimental control sufficient enough to prove a reliable
functional relation? AKA, functional relation, experimentation, control, causation.
Generality - ANSWERExtends Bx change across time, settings, or other Bx. AKA,
generalization.
Effective - ANSWERImproves Bx in a practical manner (not just statistically
significant).
Hypothetical Constructs - ANSWERA presumed, but unobserved, entity. Examples
include free will, readiness, memory storage & retrieval, information processing.
AKA, imaginary constructs.
Explanatory Fictions - ANSWERFictitious variables that are another name for the
observed Bx. They contribute nothing to the understanding of variables maintaining
Bx. Words associated with explanatory fictions are "knows," "wants," "figures out."
Circular Reasoning - ANSWERThe cause and effect are both inferred from the same
info. Example, he cried because he felt sad. The sad feeling and the crying are both
inferred from the same depressive Bx.
Knowledge CORRECT 100%
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) - ANSWERScientific approach for discovering
environmental variables that reliably influence socially-significant Bx and for
developing technology of Bx change that is practical and applicable. ABA is an
applied science.
3 Levels of Scientific Understanding - ANSWERDPC - Description, Prediction,
Control
Description - ANSWERSystematic observations that can be quantified and classified.
One of the 3 levels of scientific understanding.
Prediction - ANSWERTwo events may regularly occur at the same time. AKA,
covariation, correlation. One of the 3 levels of scientific understanding.
Definition of Science - ANSWERSystematic approach for seeking and organizing
knowledge about the natural world. It's based on determinism.
Purpose of Science - ANSWERTo achieve a thorough understanding of the
phenomena under study. In ABA, the phenomena are socially-important Bx.
Control - ANSWERFunctional relation. Experimental demonstration that manipulating
one event results in another event. AKA, causation. The highest level of scientific
understanding.
6 Attitudes of Science/Philosophical Assumptions - ANSWERDEERPP -
Determinism, Empiricism, Experimentation, Replication, Parsimony, Philosophical
Doubt.
Determinism - ANSWERThe world is an orderly, predictable place. Cause/effect.
If/then.
Empiricism - ANSWERFacts, experimental, data-based, driven by observation and
experience. Requires quantification and detailed description.
Experimental - ANSWERRequires manipulation of variables to see the effects on the
dependent variable. The basic strategy of most sciences. AKA, experimental
Analysis.
Replication - ANSWERRepeating experiments. The method used to determine
reliability and discover mistakes. Makes science a self-correcting enterprise.
Parsimony - ANSWERSimplest theory. Rule out simple/logical explanations before
considering more complex ones. Helps scientists fit findings in knowledge base.
, Philosophical Doubt - ANSWERHealthy skepticism and critical eye about the results
of studies and your work with clients.
7 Dimensions of ABA - ANSWERBATCAGE - Behavioral, Applied, Technological,
Conceptually Systematic, Analytical, Generality, Effective. Defined by Baer, Wolf, &
Risley in 1968.
3 Types of Mentalism - ANSWERHEC - Hypothetical Constructs, Explanatory
Fictions, Circular Reasoning
Mentalism - ANSWERAn approach to explaining Bx that assumes an inner
dimension exists that causes Bx. Traditional psychology is dominated by mentalism.
AKA, spiritual, psychic, subjective, feelings, attitudes, processing.
When was JABA first published? - ANSWER1968
Behavioral - ANSWERObservable and measurable events. The Bx one chooses
MUST be the Bx in need of improvement.
Applied - ANSWERImproves client's everyday life. Improves socially-significant Bx.
Helps significant others behave more positively toward client.
Technological - ANSWERDefines procedures clearly and in detail so they're
replicable.
Conceptually Systematic - ANSWERAll procedures are tied to the principles of ABA.
Analytical - ANSWERA functional relation is demonstrated. Ultimate issue is
believability - is the experimental control sufficient enough to prove a reliable
functional relation? AKA, functional relation, experimentation, control, causation.
Generality - ANSWERExtends Bx change across time, settings, or other Bx. AKA,
generalization.
Effective - ANSWERImproves Bx in a practical manner (not just statistically
significant).
Hypothetical Constructs - ANSWERA presumed, but unobserved, entity. Examples
include free will, readiness, memory storage & retrieval, information processing.
AKA, imaginary constructs.
Explanatory Fictions - ANSWERFictitious variables that are another name for the
observed Bx. They contribute nothing to the understanding of variables maintaining
Bx. Words associated with explanatory fictions are "knows," "wants," "figures out."
Circular Reasoning - ANSWERThe cause and effect are both inferred from the same
info. Example, he cried because he felt sad. The sad feeling and the crying are both
inferred from the same depressive Bx.
