PSY 7713 WEEK 5: FUNCTIONAL
BEHAVIOR ASSESSMENT AND
FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS | QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS |2026/2027 UPDATE |
JUST RELEASED. CAPELLA
UNIVERSITY
1. In the context of a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA), what is the primary distinction
between a descriptive assessment and a functional analysis?
A. Descriptive assessments use direct observation, while functional analysis relies on
interviews.
B. There is no functional difference; the terms are used interchangeably in clinical practice.
C. Descriptive assessments provide information on the topography of behavior, while
functional analysis provides information on intensity.
D. Functional analysis involves the systematic manipulation of antecedents and
consequences, whereas descriptive assessment involves observation without manipulation.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A functional analysis (FA) is experimental, meaning variables
are manipulated to demonstrate a functional relation. Descriptive assessments observe
behavior in its natural environment to identify correlations.
,2. During the ‘Alone’ condition of a standard functional analysis, what is the primary
hypothesis being tested?
A. Social-negative reinforcement (escape)
B. Social-positive reinforcement (attention)
C. Automatic reinforcement (sensory)
D. Social-positive reinforcement (tangible)
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The alone condition minimizes social stimulation. If the behavior
occurs at high rates in this condition, it is likely maintained by automatic reinforcement
(sensory consequences).
3. According to the literature, which method of FBA is considered the most accurate for
identifying the function of a behavior?
A. Scatterplot Analysis
B. ABC Narrative Recording
C. Questionnaire about Behavioral Function (QABF)
D. Functional Analysis
Answer: D
, Conceptual Explanation: Functional Analysis is the only method that confirms a
functional relation through experimental manipulation, making it the ‘gold standard’ for
accuracy.
4. A BCBA is observing a client and notices that the behavior occurs consistently at 10:00 AM
and 2:00 PM. Which descriptive assessment tool would be most useful for visualizing this
temporal pattern?
A. ABC Continuous Recording
B. Conditional Probability Analysis
C. Functional Assessment Interview (FAI)
D. A Scatterplot
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Scatterplots are designed to identify temporal patterns or time-
of-day correlations with behavior.
5. In an FA ‘Demand’ condition, what is the contingent consequence for the target behavior?
A. Ignoring the behavior entirely.
B. Providing a high-preference tangible item.
C. Providing verbal reprimands like ‘Don’t do that!’
D. Brief removal of the task materials and cessation of prompts.
Answer: D
BEHAVIOR ASSESSMENT AND
FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS | QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS |2026/2027 UPDATE |
JUST RELEASED. CAPELLA
UNIVERSITY
1. In the context of a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA), what is the primary distinction
between a descriptive assessment and a functional analysis?
A. Descriptive assessments use direct observation, while functional analysis relies on
interviews.
B. There is no functional difference; the terms are used interchangeably in clinical practice.
C. Descriptive assessments provide information on the topography of behavior, while
functional analysis provides information on intensity.
D. Functional analysis involves the systematic manipulation of antecedents and
consequences, whereas descriptive assessment involves observation without manipulation.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A functional analysis (FA) is experimental, meaning variables
are manipulated to demonstrate a functional relation. Descriptive assessments observe
behavior in its natural environment to identify correlations.
,2. During the ‘Alone’ condition of a standard functional analysis, what is the primary
hypothesis being tested?
A. Social-negative reinforcement (escape)
B. Social-positive reinforcement (attention)
C. Automatic reinforcement (sensory)
D. Social-positive reinforcement (tangible)
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The alone condition minimizes social stimulation. If the behavior
occurs at high rates in this condition, it is likely maintained by automatic reinforcement
(sensory consequences).
3. According to the literature, which method of FBA is considered the most accurate for
identifying the function of a behavior?
A. Scatterplot Analysis
B. ABC Narrative Recording
C. Questionnaire about Behavioral Function (QABF)
D. Functional Analysis
Answer: D
, Conceptual Explanation: Functional Analysis is the only method that confirms a
functional relation through experimental manipulation, making it the ‘gold standard’ for
accuracy.
4. A BCBA is observing a client and notices that the behavior occurs consistently at 10:00 AM
and 2:00 PM. Which descriptive assessment tool would be most useful for visualizing this
temporal pattern?
A. ABC Continuous Recording
B. Conditional Probability Analysis
C. Functional Assessment Interview (FAI)
D. A Scatterplot
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Scatterplots are designed to identify temporal patterns or time-
of-day correlations with behavior.
5. In an FA ‘Demand’ condition, what is the contingent consequence for the target behavior?
A. Ignoring the behavior entirely.
B. Providing a high-preference tangible item.
C. Providing verbal reprimands like ‘Don’t do that!’
D. Brief removal of the task materials and cessation of prompts.
Answer: D
