Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Practice Test

Before authoring a behavior intervention, a good behavior analyst should always do which of the following?

1. Implement the most restrictive intervention

2. Conduct a preference assessment

3. Evaluate the client's previous interventions

4. Implement the least aversive, most effective punisher

The correct answer is: Implement the least aversive, most effective punisher

The best practice for a behavior analyst before authoring a behavior intervention is to evaluate the client's previous interventions. Understanding what has been tried before, the outcomes, and the context in which those interventions were implemented can provide valuable insight into what may work in the current situation. This background helps in creating a more tailored and effective intervention strategy that builds upon previous experiences and lessons learned. Evaluating past interventions allows the analyst to avoid repeating ineffective strategies and to refine their approach based on data and observations from prior efforts. This step is crucial in ensuring that the new intervention maximizes the likelihood of success, aligns with the client’s preferences and needs, and is built on a solid foundation of what has been effective or ineffective in the past. Conducting a preference assessment may also be valuable, as this can help identify motivating factors for the client. However, this is typically done after evaluating previous interventions. Implementing the most restrictive intervention or using punishers without consideration of the context and previous data may not align with best practices in behavior analysis, which advocate for the least aversive methods that are still effective.