Behavior Assessment
Descriptive assessment and functional analysis
Select and interpret descriptive assessments and functional analyses to evaluate behavior-environment relations and behavioral function.
How this shows up in scenario questions
- 1Choose descriptive assessment when patterns are unknown.
- 2Identify when a functional analysis is appropriate.
- 3Interpret assessment data for referral or service planning.
Common misconceptions
- Treating topography as function.
- Assuming indirect report proves function.
- Running FA without safety or consent planning.
Distractor patterns
- Implement extinction before function is known.
- Use only interview data for severe behavior.
- Ignore medical or referral indicators.
Related terms
descriptive assessmentfunctional analysisABC datafunction
Related practice prompts
Select assessment methods before intervention.
A teacher reports that a learner screams during independent work. No data have been collected and the function is unknown. What should the BCBA do first?
Interpret private events without treating them as independent causes.
A client says, 'I hit because I feel anxious.' What is the most behavior-analytic way for the BCBA to use this information?
Conduct assessment before selecting intervention.
A teacher reports that the adolescent engages in not starting assignments, but no direct data or baseline information are available. What should the BCBA do first? The team is preparing for a parent review meeting.