Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Practice Test

What assumption is violated if a behavior analyst states that a behavior 'came out of nowhere'?

1. Philosophical doubt

2. Functional analysis

3. Behavioral reflexivity

4. Behavioral momentum

The correct answer is: Philosophical doubt

When a behavior analyst claims that a behavior "came out of nowhere," they are disregarding the principle of philosophical doubt. Philosophical doubt is an essential aspect of behavior analysis that encourages practitioners to question the current state of knowledge and to seek evidence-based explanations for behaviors. This assumption posits that all behaviors have antecedents and consequences that can be analyzed, meaning that there should always be a reason or function behind them. In essence, the belief that a behavior appears without any identifiable cause contradicts the foundational philosophy that every behavior can be understood within a context of environmental stimuli, experiences, or learning histories. By stating that a behavior emerged inexplicably, one undermines the analytical approach that is critical to the practice of behavior analysis, which seeks to understand the relationship between behavior and the environmental factors influencing it. The other options relate to different principles within behavior analysis. Functional analysis pertains to the systematic assessment of the relationship between behavior and its maintaining variables, behavioral reflexivity involves the relationship between reflexive behavior and its stimuli, and behavioral momentum refers to the tendency of a behavior to persist under varying conditions. None of these directly address the assumption of questioning the presence of evidence or reasoning behind behaviors, which is where philosophical doubt comes into play.