BCBA Exam Questions with Complete
Solutions
Philosophical assumptions - ANSWERSDEER PP
-Determinism
-Empiricism
-Experimentation
-Replication
-Parsimony
-Philosophical doubt
Determinism - ANSWERS-Cause and effect
-Lawfulness: If/Then statements
-The world is orderly and predictable
Empiricism - ANSWERS-Experimental, data-based scientific approach, drawing on observation &
experience
-Requires objective quantification & detailed description of events
Experimentation - ANSWERS-Manipulating variables to see the effects on the DV
-Determines cause & effect
-All variables controlled except DV
Replication - ANSWERS-Repeating experiments
,-Determines reliability & usefulness of findings
-How scientists discover their mistakes, thus making science self-correcting
Parsimony - ANSWERS-The simplest theory
-All simple & logical explanations must be ruled out before considering more complex
explanations
-Helps scientists fit findings within the field's existing knowledge base
Philosophical doubt - ANSWERSHaving healthy skepticism & a critical eye about the results of
studies and your work with clients.
Phylogenic - ANSWERS-Behavior that is inherited genetically
-Respondent behavior (classical conditioning)
-This type of behavior is elicited
Ontogenic - ANSWERS-Learning that results from an organism's interaction with his
environment
-Operant behavior is largely ontogenic
-This type of behavior is usually emitted
Data indicate no progress for a client; however, other members of a school interdisciplinary
team state the client seems happy and that the intervention plan should not change. What is
the best course of action for the behavior analyst to take? - ANSWERSContinue to make
treatment suggestions and decisions based on data.
Precision Teaching (PT) - ANSWERS*evaluation of teaching/learning on SCC; not a specific
curriculum or teaching strategy
*general used for increasing fluency, not teaching new skills
, Guiding principles:
1. Focus on directly observable behavior
2. Frequency as a measure of performance
3. The standard celeration chart
4. The learner knows best (if the student isn't progressing, there's something wrong with the
teaching)
Multiple probe design - ANSWERSProbing target across subjects, settings, or interventions
Selectionism - ANSWERSLife evolves as a result of selection with respect to function
A BCBA is assisting an agency to reduce their client's last minute appointment cancellations.
There is currently no strategy in place to reduce cancellations. What should the BCBA consider
recommending first? - ANSWERSLook for computer software that automatically sends out
reminder calls to clients
Identify and make environmental changes that reduce the need for behavior analysis services
On average, Angel gets attention for making a funny face (e.g., sticking his tongue out and
crossing his eyes) every 5 times, regardless of how long it takes him. When Angel completes a
simple matching task, on average, he gets attention every 10th match, regardless of how long it
takes him. If the same attention is all that maintains both behaviors, and both behaviors are
equally effortful, then of the following, which would likely be the best prediction of Angel's
behavior? - ANSWERSAngel will spend the vast majority of his time making funny faces and
almost no time doing matching tasks.
Would be 2x as much time making funny faces IF both were on interval schedules rather than
ratio.
Solutions
Philosophical assumptions - ANSWERSDEER PP
-Determinism
-Empiricism
-Experimentation
-Replication
-Parsimony
-Philosophical doubt
Determinism - ANSWERS-Cause and effect
-Lawfulness: If/Then statements
-The world is orderly and predictable
Empiricism - ANSWERS-Experimental, data-based scientific approach, drawing on observation &
experience
-Requires objective quantification & detailed description of events
Experimentation - ANSWERS-Manipulating variables to see the effects on the DV
-Determines cause & effect
-All variables controlled except DV
Replication - ANSWERS-Repeating experiments
,-Determines reliability & usefulness of findings
-How scientists discover their mistakes, thus making science self-correcting
Parsimony - ANSWERS-The simplest theory
-All simple & logical explanations must be ruled out before considering more complex
explanations
-Helps scientists fit findings within the field's existing knowledge base
Philosophical doubt - ANSWERSHaving healthy skepticism & a critical eye about the results of
studies and your work with clients.
Phylogenic - ANSWERS-Behavior that is inherited genetically
-Respondent behavior (classical conditioning)
-This type of behavior is elicited
Ontogenic - ANSWERS-Learning that results from an organism's interaction with his
environment
-Operant behavior is largely ontogenic
-This type of behavior is usually emitted
Data indicate no progress for a client; however, other members of a school interdisciplinary
team state the client seems happy and that the intervention plan should not change. What is
the best course of action for the behavior analyst to take? - ANSWERSContinue to make
treatment suggestions and decisions based on data.
Precision Teaching (PT) - ANSWERS*evaluation of teaching/learning on SCC; not a specific
curriculum or teaching strategy
*general used for increasing fluency, not teaching new skills
, Guiding principles:
1. Focus on directly observable behavior
2. Frequency as a measure of performance
3. The standard celeration chart
4. The learner knows best (if the student isn't progressing, there's something wrong with the
teaching)
Multiple probe design - ANSWERSProbing target across subjects, settings, or interventions
Selectionism - ANSWERSLife evolves as a result of selection with respect to function
A BCBA is assisting an agency to reduce their client's last minute appointment cancellations.
There is currently no strategy in place to reduce cancellations. What should the BCBA consider
recommending first? - ANSWERSLook for computer software that automatically sends out
reminder calls to clients
Identify and make environmental changes that reduce the need for behavior analysis services
On average, Angel gets attention for making a funny face (e.g., sticking his tongue out and
crossing his eyes) every 5 times, regardless of how long it takes him. When Angel completes a
simple matching task, on average, he gets attention every 10th match, regardless of how long it
takes him. If the same attention is all that maintains both behaviors, and both behaviors are
equally effortful, then of the following, which would likely be the best prediction of Angel's
behavior? - ANSWERSAngel will spend the vast majority of his time making funny faces and
almost no time doing matching tasks.
Would be 2x as much time making funny faces IF both were on interval schedules rather than
ratio.
