Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Practice Test

Which of the following best defines a behavior function?

1. The environment of the behavior

2. The reinforcers that maintain a behavior

3. Consequences of the behavior

4. The antecedents of the behavior

The correct answer is: The reinforcers that maintain a behavior

The definition of behavior function is best understood through the reinforcement patterns that sustain specific behaviors. Behavior function refers to the reasons why a behavior occurs; it is primarily influenced by the consequences that follow the behavior, which can reinforce or maintain that behavior over time. In this context, when discussing reinforcers that maintain a behavior, it is important to understand that these are the consequences that occur following the behavior, which increase the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future. For instance, if a child receives praise (a reinforcer) after completing their homework, the behavior of doing homework is more likely to recur due to the positive reinforcement. Understanding behavior function is essential for behavior analysts as it helps them determine which interventions might be effective in modifying behavior. By identifying the reinforcers that maintain a behavior, practitioners can create strategies to change those patterns, leading to desired behavioral changes. The other options represent components of the behavioral framework but do not directly encapsulate the essence of behavior function. The environment, consequences, and antecedents each play significant roles in the broader context of behavior analysis, but it is the reinforcers that specifically maintain a behavior that most accurately defines behavior function.