Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Practice Test

If a behavior analyst claims that a behavior "came out of nowhere," which assumption is being violated?

1. Experimental analysis

2. Philosophical doubt

3. Determinism

4. Empiricism

The correct answer is: Philosophical doubt

In the context of behavior analysis, the claim that a behavior "came out of nowhere" violates the assumption of philosophical doubt. Philosophical doubt refers to a critical stance maintained by behavior analysts regarding the explanations of behavior; it encourages skepticism towards claims that do not rely on empirical evidence or observation. In applying this, a behavior analyst is expected to continuously question and investigate the reasons behind behaviors rather than accepting them as spontaneous or unexplainable. By suggesting that a behavior arises without any identifiable cause or context, the analyst fails to uphold this foundational principle, which emphasizes the need for evidence-based reasoning and inquiry into the determinants of behavior. This foundational principle is essential in behavior analysis because it encourages practitioners to seek out historical, environmental, and contextual factors that may contribute to behavior, ensuring a comprehensive understanding and effective intervention strategies. The notion that behavior can emerge without any antecedent events or environmental influences contradicts the core tenets of the discipline that rely on observable and measurable data to guide analysis.