Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Practice Test

What does a cumulative record primarily represent regarding a specific behavior?

1. The total amount of behavior observed over time

2. The average behavior calculated weekly

3. The behavior variance within a given timeframe

4. The effectiveness of an intervention strategy

The correct answer is: The total amount of behavior observed over time

A cumulative record primarily represents the total amount of behavior observed over time. It is a type of graph that visually captures the ongoing and cumulative count of a specific behavior, enabling practitioners to see trends and patterns in data across different time intervals. The cumulative record is particularly useful because it allows behavior analysts to monitor the progress and growth of behavior over time. Each data point plotted on the cumulative record adds to the total, creating a continuously increasing line that reflects the overall frequency of the behavior being measured. This representation helps analysts and practitioners assess the effectiveness of interventions and changes in behavior consistently over a period. The other options, while addressing aspects of data analysis, do not accurately capture the essence of a cumulative record. Average behavior calculations do not reflect individual trends over time; behavior variance pertains more to the variability of data rather than a total count; and while the effectiveness of an intervention can be inferred from the behavior trends shown in cumulative records, the record itself does not directly represent the effectiveness of an intervention strategy. Thus, the total amount of behavior observed over time remains the primary focus of a cumulative record.