SPCE 609 Final Exam Questions and Answers Latest Updated 2026 (Graded A+)
EXAM BLUEPRINT (BACB 6th Edition Alignment)
Content Area Percentage Questions in this Guide
A. Philosophical Underpinnings (A.1-A.5) 15% 30 Qs (1-30)
B. Concepts & Principles (B.1-B.20) 30% 60 Qs (31-90)
C. Measurement, Data Display, & Interpretation 15% 30 Qs (91-120)
D. Experimental Design 15% 30 Qs (121-150)
E. Ethical & Professional Issues 10% 20 Qs (151-170)
F. Behavior Assessment 10% 20 Qs (171-190)
G. Behavior Change Procedures 5% 10 Qs (191-200)
SECTION A: PHILOSOPHICAL UNDERPINNINGS (Qs 1-30)
Question 1
A ______________ is behavior that is elicited by a biologically relevant stimulus
while a/an _______________ is behavior controlled by its consequences.
,A) Operant; reflex
B) Reflex; operant
C) Respondent; operant
D) Both B and C
Answer: D) Both B and C
Rationale: Reflexes and respondent behaviors are elicited by antecedent stimuli
(e.g., salivation when food is presented), while operant behaviors are controlled
by their consequences (reinforcement and punishment) . Both terms are used
interchangeably in behavior analysis.
Question 2
According to Baer, Wolf, and Risley (1968), what is the difference between basic
and applied behavior analysis?
A) Basic research uses animal subjects; applied research uses humans
B) Basic research examines any behavior and any variable; applied research
examines variables that could improve socially significant behavior
C) Basic research is conducted in laboratories; applied research is conducted in
natural settings
,D) There is no difference
Answer: B) Basic research examines any behavior and any variable; applied
research examines variables that could improve socially significant behavior
Rationale: Baer, Wolf, and Risley (1968) defined applied behavior analysis as
research that focuses on socially significant behaviors and variables that can
improve those behaviors. Basic research (EAB) can study any behavior under any
conditions, regardless of social importance .
Question 3
Learning refers to:
A) The acquisition of behavior
B) The maintenance of behavior
C) The change in behavior as a result of events
D) All of these
Answer: D) All of these
, Rationale: Learning encompasses the acquisition of new behaviors, the
maintenance of existing behaviors, and changes in behavior resulting from
environmental events. Behavior analysts view learning as a relatively permanent
change in behavior due to experience .
Question 4
The behavior of an organism:
A) Includes only observable actions
B) Is everything an organism does, including thinking and feeling
C) Excludes private events
D) Is limited to reflex responses
Answer: B) Is everything an organism does, including thinking and feeling
Rationale: From a radical behaviorism perspective, behavior includes both public
(observable) and private (covert) events such as thoughts, feelings, and
sensations. Skinner argued that private events are behaviors that need to be
explained using the same principles as public behavior .
Question 5
EXAM BLUEPRINT (BACB 6th Edition Alignment)
Content Area Percentage Questions in this Guide
A. Philosophical Underpinnings (A.1-A.5) 15% 30 Qs (1-30)
B. Concepts & Principles (B.1-B.20) 30% 60 Qs (31-90)
C. Measurement, Data Display, & Interpretation 15% 30 Qs (91-120)
D. Experimental Design 15% 30 Qs (121-150)
E. Ethical & Professional Issues 10% 20 Qs (151-170)
F. Behavior Assessment 10% 20 Qs (171-190)
G. Behavior Change Procedures 5% 10 Qs (191-200)
SECTION A: PHILOSOPHICAL UNDERPINNINGS (Qs 1-30)
Question 1
A ______________ is behavior that is elicited by a biologically relevant stimulus
while a/an _______________ is behavior controlled by its consequences.
,A) Operant; reflex
B) Reflex; operant
C) Respondent; operant
D) Both B and C
Answer: D) Both B and C
Rationale: Reflexes and respondent behaviors are elicited by antecedent stimuli
(e.g., salivation when food is presented), while operant behaviors are controlled
by their consequences (reinforcement and punishment) . Both terms are used
interchangeably in behavior analysis.
Question 2
According to Baer, Wolf, and Risley (1968), what is the difference between basic
and applied behavior analysis?
A) Basic research uses animal subjects; applied research uses humans
B) Basic research examines any behavior and any variable; applied research
examines variables that could improve socially significant behavior
C) Basic research is conducted in laboratories; applied research is conducted in
natural settings
,D) There is no difference
Answer: B) Basic research examines any behavior and any variable; applied
research examines variables that could improve socially significant behavior
Rationale: Baer, Wolf, and Risley (1968) defined applied behavior analysis as
research that focuses on socially significant behaviors and variables that can
improve those behaviors. Basic research (EAB) can study any behavior under any
conditions, regardless of social importance .
Question 3
Learning refers to:
A) The acquisition of behavior
B) The maintenance of behavior
C) The change in behavior as a result of events
D) All of these
Answer: D) All of these
, Rationale: Learning encompasses the acquisition of new behaviors, the
maintenance of existing behaviors, and changes in behavior resulting from
environmental events. Behavior analysts view learning as a relatively permanent
change in behavior due to experience .
Question 4
The behavior of an organism:
A) Includes only observable actions
B) Is everything an organism does, including thinking and feeling
C) Excludes private events
D) Is limited to reflex responses
Answer: B) Is everything an organism does, including thinking and feeling
Rationale: From a radical behaviorism perspective, behavior includes both public
(observable) and private (covert) events such as thoughts, feelings, and
sensations. Skinner argued that private events are behaviors that need to be
explained using the same principles as public behavior .
Question 5
