This is Part 1 of the Board Certified Behavior
Analyst (BCBA) Prep 4th Edition
Comprehensive Test Bank by Cooper, Heron,
& Heward.
TABLE OF CONTENTS — PART 1
Chapter 1: Foundations of Behavior Analysis — Questions 1–20
Chapter 2: Principles of Behavior — Questions 21–40
Chapter 3: Assessment in Behavior Analysis — Questions 41–60
Chapter 4: Measurement and Data Interpretation — Questions 61–80
Chapter 5: Ethics and Professional Conduct — Questions 81–100
Chapter 1: Foundations of Behavior Analysis — Questions 1–20
Q1. Which philosophical assumption of behavior analysis states that behavior is the result of external
events rather than internal mental states?
A. Determinism
B. Mentalism
C. Dualism
D. Free will
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Determinism is the philosophical assumption that behavior is lawful and controlled
by environmental events. Option B is incorrect because mentalism explains behavior by referring to
internal mental constructs, which behavior analysis rejects. Option C is wrong because dualism
separates mind and body, a view incompatible with radical behaviorism. Option D is incorrect
because free will implies behavior is not fully determined by environmental variables. Understanding
determinism is foundational for a behavior-analytic worldview.
Q2. Which dimension of applied behavior analysis (ABA) requires that behavior change be socially
significant?
,A. Analytic
B. Technological
C. Effective
D. Applied
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The applied dimension requires that the behavior targeted for change be socially
significant to the individual and society. Option A is incorrect because analytic refers to
demonstrating a functional relation between intervention and behavior change. Option B is wrong
because technological means procedures are described clearly enough to be replicated. Option C is
incorrect because effective means the intervention produces practical, significant change. The
applied dimension ensures that ABA addresses meaningful goals.
Q3. Which of the following is a characteristic of radical behaviorism?
A. It excludes private events from analysis.
B. It includes private events as behavior.
C. It relies primarily on introspection.
D. It rejects environmental explanations.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Radical behaviorism includes private events such as thoughts and feelings as behavior
that is subject to the same principles as public behavior. Option A is incorrect because radical
behaviorism does not exclude private events; it includes them. Option C is wrong because it rejects
introspection as a primary method. Option D is incorrect because it emphasizes environmental
explanations. This inclusive view distinguishes radical behaviorism from methodological behaviorism.
Q4. Which scientist is credited with the experimental analysis of behavior and the three-term
contingency?
A. Ivan Pavlov
B. John B. Watson
C. B. F. Skinner
D. Edward Thorndike
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: B. F. Skinner is credited with the experimental analysis of behavior and the three-
term contingency (discriminative stimulus, response, consequence). Option A is incorrect because
Pavlov studied respondent conditioning. Option B is wrong because Watson founded behaviorism
but did not develop the three-term contingency. Option D is incorrect because Thorndike studied law
,of effect but not the three-term contingency. Skinner's work forms the foundation of modern
behavior analysis.
Q5. Which term refers to the idea that behavior is selected by its consequences?
A. Respondent conditioning
B. Operant conditioning
C. Classical conditioning
D. Habituation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Operant conditioning is the process by which behavior is selected and strengthened
by its consequences. Option A is incorrect because respondent conditioning involves reflexive
responses to antecedent stimuli. Option C is wrong because classical conditioning is another name
for respondent conditioning. Option D is incorrect because habituation is a decrease in response to
repeated stimulation. Operant conditioning is central to behavior-analytic practice.
Q6. What is the primary focus of behavior analysis?
A. Observable and measurable behavior
B. Unconscious drives
C. Cognitive schemas
D. Personality traits
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Behavior analysis focuses on observable and measurable behavior as the subject
matter of study. Option B is incorrect because unconscious drives are a psychodynamic concept.
Option C is wrong because cognitive schemas are mental constructs. Option D is incorrect because
personality traits are internal dispositions. This focus on observable behavior allows for objective
measurement and intervention.
Q7. Which of the following is an example of a private event?
A. A child hitting a peer
B. A student raising her hand
C. A person feeling anxious
D. A dog barking
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Private events are behaviors that occur within the skin, such as feelings and thoughts,
and are not observable to others. Option A is incorrect because hitting is a public, observable
behavior. Option B is wrong because raising a hand is public. Option D is incorrect because barking is
public. Radical behaviorism includes private events as behavior subject to the same laws.
Q8. Which dimension of ABA requires that the behavior change be demonstrated to be a function of
the intervention?
A. Applied
B. Behavioral
C. Analytic
D. Effective
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The effective dimension requires that the intervention produce behavior change that
is socially significant and practically important. Option A is incorrect because applied refers to social
significance of the target behavior. Option B is wrong because behavioral refers to the behavior being
observable and measurable. Option C is incorrect because analytic refers to demonstrating a
functional relation. The effective dimension ensures meaningful outcomes.
Q9. Which of the following best describes the law of effect?
A. Behaviors followed by satisfying consequences are more likely to recur.
B. Behaviors are determined by unconscious conflicts.
C. Behaviors are learned through observation.
D. Behaviors are inherited genetically.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The law of effect, proposed by Thorndike, states that behaviors followed by satisfying
consequences are strengthened and more likely to recur. Option B is incorrect because unconscious
conflicts are a psychodynamic concept. Option C is wrong because observational learning is a social
learning concept. Option D is incorrect because genetic inheritance is not the law of effect. This
principle foreshadowed operant conditioning.
Q10. Which term describes a stimulus that increases the future frequency of a behavior when
presented after the behavior?
A. Punisher
B. Reinforcer
C. Discriminative stimulus
Analyst (BCBA) Prep 4th Edition
Comprehensive Test Bank by Cooper, Heron,
& Heward.
TABLE OF CONTENTS — PART 1
Chapter 1: Foundations of Behavior Analysis — Questions 1–20
Chapter 2: Principles of Behavior — Questions 21–40
Chapter 3: Assessment in Behavior Analysis — Questions 41–60
Chapter 4: Measurement and Data Interpretation — Questions 61–80
Chapter 5: Ethics and Professional Conduct — Questions 81–100
Chapter 1: Foundations of Behavior Analysis — Questions 1–20
Q1. Which philosophical assumption of behavior analysis states that behavior is the result of external
events rather than internal mental states?
A. Determinism
B. Mentalism
C. Dualism
D. Free will
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Determinism is the philosophical assumption that behavior is lawful and controlled
by environmental events. Option B is incorrect because mentalism explains behavior by referring to
internal mental constructs, which behavior analysis rejects. Option C is wrong because dualism
separates mind and body, a view incompatible with radical behaviorism. Option D is incorrect
because free will implies behavior is not fully determined by environmental variables. Understanding
determinism is foundational for a behavior-analytic worldview.
Q2. Which dimension of applied behavior analysis (ABA) requires that behavior change be socially
significant?
,A. Analytic
B. Technological
C. Effective
D. Applied
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The applied dimension requires that the behavior targeted for change be socially
significant to the individual and society. Option A is incorrect because analytic refers to
demonstrating a functional relation between intervention and behavior change. Option B is wrong
because technological means procedures are described clearly enough to be replicated. Option C is
incorrect because effective means the intervention produces practical, significant change. The
applied dimension ensures that ABA addresses meaningful goals.
Q3. Which of the following is a characteristic of radical behaviorism?
A. It excludes private events from analysis.
B. It includes private events as behavior.
C. It relies primarily on introspection.
D. It rejects environmental explanations.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Radical behaviorism includes private events such as thoughts and feelings as behavior
that is subject to the same principles as public behavior. Option A is incorrect because radical
behaviorism does not exclude private events; it includes them. Option C is wrong because it rejects
introspection as a primary method. Option D is incorrect because it emphasizes environmental
explanations. This inclusive view distinguishes radical behaviorism from methodological behaviorism.
Q4. Which scientist is credited with the experimental analysis of behavior and the three-term
contingency?
A. Ivan Pavlov
B. John B. Watson
C. B. F. Skinner
D. Edward Thorndike
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: B. F. Skinner is credited with the experimental analysis of behavior and the three-
term contingency (discriminative stimulus, response, consequence). Option A is incorrect because
Pavlov studied respondent conditioning. Option B is wrong because Watson founded behaviorism
but did not develop the three-term contingency. Option D is incorrect because Thorndike studied law
,of effect but not the three-term contingency. Skinner's work forms the foundation of modern
behavior analysis.
Q5. Which term refers to the idea that behavior is selected by its consequences?
A. Respondent conditioning
B. Operant conditioning
C. Classical conditioning
D. Habituation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Operant conditioning is the process by which behavior is selected and strengthened
by its consequences. Option A is incorrect because respondent conditioning involves reflexive
responses to antecedent stimuli. Option C is wrong because classical conditioning is another name
for respondent conditioning. Option D is incorrect because habituation is a decrease in response to
repeated stimulation. Operant conditioning is central to behavior-analytic practice.
Q6. What is the primary focus of behavior analysis?
A. Observable and measurable behavior
B. Unconscious drives
C. Cognitive schemas
D. Personality traits
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Behavior analysis focuses on observable and measurable behavior as the subject
matter of study. Option B is incorrect because unconscious drives are a psychodynamic concept.
Option C is wrong because cognitive schemas are mental constructs. Option D is incorrect because
personality traits are internal dispositions. This focus on observable behavior allows for objective
measurement and intervention.
Q7. Which of the following is an example of a private event?
A. A child hitting a peer
B. A student raising her hand
C. A person feeling anxious
D. A dog barking
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Private events are behaviors that occur within the skin, such as feelings and thoughts,
and are not observable to others. Option A is incorrect because hitting is a public, observable
behavior. Option B is wrong because raising a hand is public. Option D is incorrect because barking is
public. Radical behaviorism includes private events as behavior subject to the same laws.
Q8. Which dimension of ABA requires that the behavior change be demonstrated to be a function of
the intervention?
A. Applied
B. Behavioral
C. Analytic
D. Effective
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The effective dimension requires that the intervention produce behavior change that
is socially significant and practically important. Option A is incorrect because applied refers to social
significance of the target behavior. Option B is wrong because behavioral refers to the behavior being
observable and measurable. Option C is incorrect because analytic refers to demonstrating a
functional relation. The effective dimension ensures meaningful outcomes.
Q9. Which of the following best describes the law of effect?
A. Behaviors followed by satisfying consequences are more likely to recur.
B. Behaviors are determined by unconscious conflicts.
C. Behaviors are learned through observation.
D. Behaviors are inherited genetically.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The law of effect, proposed by Thorndike, states that behaviors followed by satisfying
consequences are strengthened and more likely to recur. Option B is incorrect because unconscious
conflicts are a psychodynamic concept. Option C is wrong because observational learning is a social
learning concept. Option D is incorrect because genetic inheritance is not the law of effect. This
principle foreshadowed operant conditioning.
Q10. Which term describes a stimulus that increases the future frequency of a behavior when
presented after the behavior?
A. Punisher
B. Reinforcer
C. Discriminative stimulus
