EDF 6223: ABA and Systems Support
Comprehensive Cumulative Final Examination New
2025/2026 Update | Verified Answer Key.
DOMAIN 1: Foundational Knowledge & Philosophical Assumptions (10 Questions)
Sub-Topic: Philosophical Assumptions (4 Questions)
Question 1 — Multiple Choice A behavior analyst working in a school district observes that a
student's disruptive behavior consistently increases when academic demands are presented.
The analyst systematically manipulates the difficulty level of tasks to determine the functional
relationship between task difficulty and disruptive behavior. Which philosophical assumption of
behavior analysis is BEST exemplified by this approach?
A) Determinism
B) Empiricism
C) Experimentation
D) Pragmatism
Answer: C) Experimentation [CORRECT] Rationale: The analyst is engaging in systematic
manipulation of an independent variable (task difficulty) to identify a functional relationship
with the dependent variable (disruptive behavior). This directly exemplifies the philosophical
assumption of experimentation—one of the seven core assumptions of behavior analysis. While
empiricism involves objective observation and determinism assumes behavior is lawful,
experimentation specifically requires active manipulation of variables to demonstrate causality,
which is precisely what the analyst is doing.
Question 2 — Select-All-That-Apply (SATA) Which of the following statements accurately reflect
the philosophical assumption of selectionism in behavior analysis? (Select all that apply.)
A) Behavior is selected by consequences at the phylogenetic level through natural selection of
species
B) Behavior is selected by consequences at the ontogenetic level through individual learning
histories
C) Behavior is selected by consequences at the cultural level through transmission of practices
across generations
,D) Selectionism requires that all behavior must be genetically determined to be considered
lawful
E) Selectionism rejects the role of consequences in favor of internal cognitive maps
Answers: A, B, C [CORRECT] Rationale: Selectionism in behavior analysis operates across three
levels: phylogenetic (natural selection of species over evolutionary time), ontogenetic (individual
learning history during one's lifetime), and cultural (practices transmitted through social
learning across generations). Options D and E are incorrect because selectionism does not
require genetic determinism (ontogenetic and cultural selection operate independently of
genetics) and explicitly emphasizes the role of consequences, rejecting internal hypothetical
constructs like cognitive maps.
Question 3 — Multiple Choice A graduate student argues that a child's tantrum behavior is
caused by an "internal anger state" that cannot be directly observed or measured. The student's
supervisor explains that referring to unobservable "anger states" as causes of behavior violates
which philosophical assumption of behavior analysis and represents what type of explanatory
error?
A) Parsimony; circular reasoning
B) Empiricism; explanatory fiction
C) Determinism; mentalistic explanation
D) Experimentation; hypothetical construct
Answer: C) Determinism; mentalistic explanation [CORRECT] Rationale: Determinism assumes
behavior is caused by identifiable, observable variables in the environment or organism's
history—not by unobservable mental states. Referring to "internal anger states" as causal
entities is a mentalistic explanation, which violates behavior analysis' commitment to
determinism by invoking free-will-like internal causes. While "explanatory fiction" (B) and
"hypothetical construct" (D) describe the nature of the error, the question specifically asks which
philosophical assumption is violated. Parsimony (A) would suggest choosing the simplest
explanation, but the core violation here is determinism—behavior must be explained by
observable, natural phenomena, not unobservable mental states.
Question 4 — True/False The philosophical assumption of parsimony requires behavior analysts
to always select the simplest possible explanation for behavior, even if a more complex
explanation has stronger empirical support.
, Answer: FALSE [CORRECT] Rationale: Parsimony does not mean always choosing the simplest
explanation regardless of evidence. Rather, it means ruling out the simplest explanation first
before considering more complex explanations. If the simpler explanation is tested and found
insufficient, behavior analysts must then consider more complex variables. Parsimony is a
guiding principle for the order of investigation, not an absolute rule that ignores empirical
evidence.
Sub-Topic: Radical vs. Methodological Behaviorism (2 Questions)
Question 5 — Multiple Choice Dr. Martinez, a radical behaviorist, is consulted about a client
who reports feeling "anxious" before social interactions. How would Dr. Martinez most likely
conceptualize the client's reported anxiety within a behavior analytic framework?
A) Dismiss the report as irrelevant because private events cannot be scientifically studied
B) Accept the report as a valid datum but seek to identify the environmental contingencies that
have shaped both the public and private behavioral responses
C) Refer the client to a cognitive psychologist because thoughts and feelings are outside the
scope of behavior analysis
D) Treat the anxiety as a causal agent that explains the avoidance behavior
Answer: B) Accept the report as a valid datum but seek to identify the environmental
contingencies that have shaped both the public and private behavioral responses [CORRECT]
Rationale: Radical behaviorism (Skinner) treats private events (thoughts, feelings) as behavior
themselves—not as causal agents or as phenomena outside scientific study. Dr. Martinez would
accept the verbal report of anxiety as behavior to be explained, seeking the learning history and
current contingencies that shape both the public avoidance behavior and the private emotional
responses. Option A represents methodological behaviorism (Watson), which rejects private
events. Option D is mentalistic. Option C incorrectly excludes private events from behavior
analysis.
Question 6 — Scenario-Based Analysis A researcher states: "I only record observable motor
responses in my study because any reference to internal states is unscientific." Another
researcher counters: "Private events like thoughts and emotions are real phenomena that can
be analyzed using the same behavioral principles as overt actions, though they may require
different measurement approaches."
Which researcher represents radical behaviorism and which represents methodological
behaviorism? What is the key conceptual distinction between their positions?
Comprehensive Cumulative Final Examination New
2025/2026 Update | Verified Answer Key.
DOMAIN 1: Foundational Knowledge & Philosophical Assumptions (10 Questions)
Sub-Topic: Philosophical Assumptions (4 Questions)
Question 1 — Multiple Choice A behavior analyst working in a school district observes that a
student's disruptive behavior consistently increases when academic demands are presented.
The analyst systematically manipulates the difficulty level of tasks to determine the functional
relationship between task difficulty and disruptive behavior. Which philosophical assumption of
behavior analysis is BEST exemplified by this approach?
A) Determinism
B) Empiricism
C) Experimentation
D) Pragmatism
Answer: C) Experimentation [CORRECT] Rationale: The analyst is engaging in systematic
manipulation of an independent variable (task difficulty) to identify a functional relationship
with the dependent variable (disruptive behavior). This directly exemplifies the philosophical
assumption of experimentation—one of the seven core assumptions of behavior analysis. While
empiricism involves objective observation and determinism assumes behavior is lawful,
experimentation specifically requires active manipulation of variables to demonstrate causality,
which is precisely what the analyst is doing.
Question 2 — Select-All-That-Apply (SATA) Which of the following statements accurately reflect
the philosophical assumption of selectionism in behavior analysis? (Select all that apply.)
A) Behavior is selected by consequences at the phylogenetic level through natural selection of
species
B) Behavior is selected by consequences at the ontogenetic level through individual learning
histories
C) Behavior is selected by consequences at the cultural level through transmission of practices
across generations
,D) Selectionism requires that all behavior must be genetically determined to be considered
lawful
E) Selectionism rejects the role of consequences in favor of internal cognitive maps
Answers: A, B, C [CORRECT] Rationale: Selectionism in behavior analysis operates across three
levels: phylogenetic (natural selection of species over evolutionary time), ontogenetic (individual
learning history during one's lifetime), and cultural (practices transmitted through social
learning across generations). Options D and E are incorrect because selectionism does not
require genetic determinism (ontogenetic and cultural selection operate independently of
genetics) and explicitly emphasizes the role of consequences, rejecting internal hypothetical
constructs like cognitive maps.
Question 3 — Multiple Choice A graduate student argues that a child's tantrum behavior is
caused by an "internal anger state" that cannot be directly observed or measured. The student's
supervisor explains that referring to unobservable "anger states" as causes of behavior violates
which philosophical assumption of behavior analysis and represents what type of explanatory
error?
A) Parsimony; circular reasoning
B) Empiricism; explanatory fiction
C) Determinism; mentalistic explanation
D) Experimentation; hypothetical construct
Answer: C) Determinism; mentalistic explanation [CORRECT] Rationale: Determinism assumes
behavior is caused by identifiable, observable variables in the environment or organism's
history—not by unobservable mental states. Referring to "internal anger states" as causal
entities is a mentalistic explanation, which violates behavior analysis' commitment to
determinism by invoking free-will-like internal causes. While "explanatory fiction" (B) and
"hypothetical construct" (D) describe the nature of the error, the question specifically asks which
philosophical assumption is violated. Parsimony (A) would suggest choosing the simplest
explanation, but the core violation here is determinism—behavior must be explained by
observable, natural phenomena, not unobservable mental states.
Question 4 — True/False The philosophical assumption of parsimony requires behavior analysts
to always select the simplest possible explanation for behavior, even if a more complex
explanation has stronger empirical support.
, Answer: FALSE [CORRECT] Rationale: Parsimony does not mean always choosing the simplest
explanation regardless of evidence. Rather, it means ruling out the simplest explanation first
before considering more complex explanations. If the simpler explanation is tested and found
insufficient, behavior analysts must then consider more complex variables. Parsimony is a
guiding principle for the order of investigation, not an absolute rule that ignores empirical
evidence.
Sub-Topic: Radical vs. Methodological Behaviorism (2 Questions)
Question 5 — Multiple Choice Dr. Martinez, a radical behaviorist, is consulted about a client
who reports feeling "anxious" before social interactions. How would Dr. Martinez most likely
conceptualize the client's reported anxiety within a behavior analytic framework?
A) Dismiss the report as irrelevant because private events cannot be scientifically studied
B) Accept the report as a valid datum but seek to identify the environmental contingencies that
have shaped both the public and private behavioral responses
C) Refer the client to a cognitive psychologist because thoughts and feelings are outside the
scope of behavior analysis
D) Treat the anxiety as a causal agent that explains the avoidance behavior
Answer: B) Accept the report as a valid datum but seek to identify the environmental
contingencies that have shaped both the public and private behavioral responses [CORRECT]
Rationale: Radical behaviorism (Skinner) treats private events (thoughts, feelings) as behavior
themselves—not as causal agents or as phenomena outside scientific study. Dr. Martinez would
accept the verbal report of anxiety as behavior to be explained, seeking the learning history and
current contingencies that shape both the public avoidance behavior and the private emotional
responses. Option A represents methodological behaviorism (Watson), which rejects private
events. Option D is mentalistic. Option C incorrectly excludes private events from behavior
analysis.
Question 6 — Scenario-Based Analysis A researcher states: "I only record observable motor
responses in my study because any reference to internal states is unscientific." Another
researcher counters: "Private events like thoughts and emotions are real phenomena that can
be analyzed using the same behavioral principles as overt actions, though they may require
different measurement approaches."
Which researcher represents radical behaviorism and which represents methodological
behaviorism? What is the key conceptual distinction between their positions?
