Practice question
Behaviorism and Philosophical Foundations

Science goals: description, prediction, and control: Observable behavior and environmental explanations.

Original BCBA scenario practice question with answer explanation and wrong-choice notes.

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Question

Difficulty: medium. Skill: apply. Type: concept discrimination.

During a home program, the team explains child's dropping to the floor when demands are presented with a personality label. The BCBA wants the discussion to reflect science goals: description, prediction, and control. What is the best next step? The case file includes 9 recent sessions, 1 implementer, and 4 settings.

A
Define the behavior in observable terms and assess relevant environmental variables before selecting intervention in relation to child's dropping to the floor when demands are presented

Correct answer

B
Send the written protocol again without observing performance
C
Proceed informally because the team believes the action will help
D
Tell everyone to try harder and review the case next month

Explanation

Answer A

The clue is the combination of caregiver notes plus one direct observation, dropping to the floor when demands are presented, and the required task: Science goals: description, prediction, and control. The case file includes 9 recent sessions, 1 implementer, and 4 settings. Define the behavior in observable terms and assess relevant environmental variables before selecting intervention in relation to child's dropping to the floor when demands are presented is best because it answers that clue through observable behavior and environmental explanations instead of treating the scenario as a generic behavior problem. On exam items like this, name the decision point first, then eliminate options that rely on one report, a label, a familiar protocol, or an action that skips the relevant data check.

Why this question is hard

Clue
Key scenario clue

The clue is the combination of caregiver notes plus one direct observation, dropping to the floor when demands are presented, and the required task: Science goals: description, prediction, and control. The case file includes 9 recent sessions, 1 implementer, and 4 settings.

Trap
Common trap

Written directions alone do not verify performance or correct implementation errors.

Next
If you missed it, review Observable behavior and environmental explanations

Then answer a few related scenarios before moving back to broad practice.

Why the other choices are weaker

B
Choice B

Written directions alone do not verify performance or correct implementation errors.

C
Choice C

Good intent does not replace consent, documentation, competence, or other safeguards.

D
Choice D

Vague delayed feedback does not create a measurable plan for improvement.

Study tags

Observable behavior and environmental explanationsScience goals: description, prediction, and controlmentalismoperational explanations

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Related study guides

GuideDistractor patternsUse this if the wrong answer sounded plausible.GuideMissed-question reviewUse this if you want to turn the miss into a study rule.GuideScore plateau guideUse this if similar mistakes keep repeating.

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Question FAQ

What BCBA domain does this question cover?

This practice question is tagged to Behaviorism and Philosophical Foundations. It also includes study tags for Observable behavior and environmental explanations, Science goals: description, prediction, and control, mentalism, operational explanations.

How should I review this practice question?

Answer the scenario before reading the explanation, compare your reasoning with the correct answer, then review why the distractors are weaker.

Is this an official BACB exam question?

No. This is an original study question for BCBA Scenario Tutor and is not an official BACB exam item.

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