OLD BCBA Test Questions With Answers

1. Which of the following is NOT characteristic of the experimental analysis of behavior? a. It requires continuous observation b. It seldom provides readily applicable solutions to important problems c. It has its theoretical underpinnings in behaviorism d. It is a method for study in natural environments 2. Applied behavior analysis a. Ignores conceptual issues b. Was defined by Skinner (1953) c. Was defined by Baer, Wolf, and Risley (1968) d. Provides the foundation upon which the experimental analysis of behavior was developed

3. Applied behavior analysis a. Is antithetical to the experimental analysis of behavior b. Provides the foundation upon which the experimental analysis of behavior was developed c. Often applies the findings of the experimental analysis of behavior to laboratory issues d. Often applies the findings of the experimental analysis of behavior of social issues

4. “Applied” as a dimension of applied behavior analysis involves a. Using significant problems of participants to identify basic principles b. Resolving significant basic questions of principles of behavior c. Using basic principles on problems of significance to participants d. Using basic theoretical constructs on problems of significance to participants

5. The behavioral dimension of applied behavior analysis focuses on the a. Frequency of the behavioral measure b. Relevance and reliability of the experimental design c. (all of the others) d. Relevance and reliability of the behavioral measure

6. “Effective” as a dimension of applied behavior analysis involves treatment effects that are a. Clinically significant b. Permanent c. (all of the others) d. Statistically significant

7. “Technological” as a dimension of applied behavior analysis involves a. The use of technical, behavioral terminology to explain procedures b. The use of high technology in the analysis and interpretations of data c. Complete and precisely described procedures d. (none of the others)

8. Generality is evidenced by effective results of procedures implemented across a. (all of the others) b. Settings c. Individuals d. Procedural variations

9. A subject serving as his own control means a. There is a single intervention used in the experiment b. There is only one subject in the experiment c. That each intervention employed is measured repeatedly d. That each participant’s behavior is measured repeatedly

10. Applied behavior analysis a. Is antithetical to the experimental analysis of behavior b. Provides the foundation upon which the experimental analysis of behavior was developed c. Often applies the findings of the experimental analysis of behavior to laboratory issues d. Often applies the findings of the experimental analysis of behavior of social issues

11. Select the most parsimonious explanation. A 5-year-old tantrums in the candy aisle due to a. A personality disorder b. An emotional disturbance c. Cognitions resulting from poor parenting skills d. A history of reinforcement in the form of receiving candy for tantrum behavior

12. History as a threat to internal validity refers to a. Influence of multiple test taking b. Cyclic changes in the data c. Changes within the individual d. Events that occur during an experiment

13. Internal validity addresses which question a. Is the behavior change due only to the intervention b. Will the results carry over to other settings c. Are the procedures appropriate given the circumstances d. Will the results carry over to other individuals

14. Changing the teacher in the middle of a skills acquisition experiment threatens internal validity due to a. Multiple intervention interference b. Testing c. Maturation d. History

15. Multiple intervention (i.e., multiple treatment) interference is a threat to external validity due to a. Interactive affects b. Repeated testing c. Participant interactions d. Multiple treatments implemented simultaneously