BACB Experimental Design and Research 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the defining characteristic of a 'functional analysis' of behavior?
- Conducting interviews with caregivers about problem behavior
- Systematically manipulating antecedents and consequences to identify the reinforcer(s) maintaining problem behavior (Correct answer)
- Completing an indirect assessment checklist
- Observing behavior in natural settings without manipulation
Correct answer: Systematically manipulating antecedents and consequences to identify the reinforcer(s) maintaining problem behavior
A functional analysis directly manipulates antecedent and consequent conditions to experimentally identify the specific reinforcer(s) maintaining problem behavior.
Question 2: Which functional behavior assessment (FBA) method involves structured interviews and rating scales without direct observation?
- Direct observation
- Functional analysis
- Indirect assessment (Correct answer)
- Descriptive assessment
Correct answer: Indirect assessment
Indirect assessment relies on retrospective reports from caregivers, teachers, or the individual via interviews, questionnaires, or rating scales rather than direct data collection.
Question 3: A descriptive FBA (e.g., ABC recording) differs from a functional analysis in that it:
- Identifies function by experimental manipulation
- Documents naturally occurring antecedents and consequences without manipulating variables (Correct answer)
- Requires at least two practitioners to conduct
- Is always conducted in a clinical setting
Correct answer: Documents naturally occurring antecedents and consequences without manipulating variables
Descriptive FBA observes and records naturally occurring ABCs without manipulating variables, providing correlational rather than experimental evidence of behavioral function.
Question 4: In a standard functional analysis, what does an elevated response rate in the 'alone' condition typically suggest?
- The behavior is maintained by social positive reinforcement
- The behavior is maintained by automatic (sensory) reinforcement (Correct answer)
- The behavior is escape-maintained
- The behavior is attention-maintained
Correct answer: The behavior is maintained by automatic (sensory) reinforcement
High rates of behavior in the alone condition (no social stimuli) indicate the behavior produces its own reinforcement (automatic/sensory reinforcement) independent of social consequences.
Question 5: Which condition in a standard Iwata et al. functional analysis tests whether the behavior is maintained by escape from demands?
- Attention condition
- Alone condition
- Demand/task condition (Correct answer)
- Play/control condition
Correct answer: Demand/task condition
The demand (task) condition presents academic or work tasks and delivers brief escape from tasks contingent on problem behavior, testing whether escape is the maintaining consequence.
Question 6: Social validity assessment in ABA research addresses which three dimensions proposed by Wolf (1978)?
- Reliability, validity, and generalization
- Goals, procedures, and outcomes (Correct answer)
- Antecedents, behaviors, and consequences
- Rate, duration, and latency
Correct answer: Goals, procedures, and outcomes
Wolf (1978) proposed that social validity should assess whether the goals, procedures, and outcomes of an intervention are acceptable and meaningful to consumers and society.
BACB Experimental Design and Research 2
What is the defining characteristic of a 'functional analysis' of behavior?