Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Practice Test

In a scenario where a behavior analyst wants to examine Jamie's tantrums, what is a true statement regarding the analysis?

1. The analysis must be conducted at home

2. Analysis in a vacant classroom is acceptable despite generality issues

3. Classroom analysis is the most reliable setting

4. It is best to have multiple observers for validity

The correct answer is: Analysis in a vacant classroom is acceptable despite generality issues

In the context of analyzing Jamie's tantrums, conducting the analysis in a vacant classroom can be acceptable, even though it may present certain generality issues. Analyzing behavior in a controlled environment allows the behavior analyst to manipulate variables and closely observe specific occurrences of the tantrums without external distractions. It can be beneficial for identifying particular triggers and understanding the function of the behavior in a setting that's structured and free from confounding variables. However, it's important to note that while a vacant classroom can serve as a useful venue for the observation, it may not fully capture the complexity of Jamie's behavior in his natural environments, such as at home or during actual classroom interactions with peers and teachers. Generality issues pertain to the extent to which the findings from this analysis can be generalized to real-life situations, which may differ significantly from the controlled setting. Thus, while this approach has its merits, understanding the limitations of such an analysis regarding behavior generalization is equally important for effective behavior intervention planning.