BCBA Test Content Outline (6th ed.)

Behaviorism

A scientific approach that focuses on the study of observable behavior and its relationship to the environment.

Radical Behaviorism

A philosophical perspective suggesting that all behavior is influenced by environmental factors and rejecting mental events as explanations for behavior.

Positive Reinforcement

A procedure that involves the presentation of a stimulus following a behavior, which increases the likelihood that the behavior will occur again.

Negative Reinforcement

A procedure that involves the removal of a stimulus following a behavior, which increases the likelihood that the behavior will occur again.

Operant Conditioning

A learning process in which the consequences of a behavior influence its future occurrence.

Stimulus Control

The degree to which a behavior is influenced by the presence or absence of a particular stimulus.

Extinction

The process of reducing a behavior by withholding reinforcement.

Behavior Assessment

The process of systematically measuring and analyzing an individual's behavior to inform intervention strategies.

Functional Analysis

A method used to identify the variables that influence a behavior by manipulating antecedents and consequences.

Cultural Humility

An approach that involves being open to and learning about the values, beliefs, and cultural backgrounds of clients.

Data-Based Decisions

Making decisions based on the systematic collection and analysis of data.

Single-Case Experimental Design

Research design in which a single subject’s behavior is observed over time to examine the effects of an intervention.

Interobserver Agreement

A measure of the degree to which two or more observers report the same event.

Graphing Data

The process of visually representing data to communicate relevant quantitative relations.

Measurement Procedures

Systematic approaches for collecting data on behavior, which can include direct and indirect measures.

Procedural Integrity

The degree to which the treatment or intervention is implemented as planned.

Behavior-Change Procedures

Methods applied to alter an individual's behavior, informed by principles of behavior analysis.

Culturally Responsive Practices

Approaches that are sensitive and responsive to the cultural context of the client during interventions.

Emergent Relations

New behaviors or skills that arise from previously established behaviors, which are not directly taught.

Relapse Prevention

Strategies employed to maintain desired behavior changes and prevent the return of unwanted behaviors.