Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Practice Test

When a behavior analyst measures the time it takes for a client to respond with 'You're welcome' after 'Thank you,' what is being measured?

1. Frequency

2. Intensity

3. Latency

4. Duration

The correct answer is: Latency

Measuring the time it takes for a client to respond with "You're welcome" following "Thank you" focuses on the interval of time that elapses before the response occurs. This is referred to as latency, which specifically measures the time delay between a stimulus (in this case, "Thank you") and the resultant behavior (the response "You're welcome"). Latency is an important measure in behavior analysis because it can provide insights into how quickly an individual is able to respond in social situations, and it can be useful for assessing the effectiveness of behavioral interventions aimed at improving communication skills. In contrast, frequency would measure how often a response occurs, intensity would refer to the strength or magnitude of the response, and duration would focus on how long a behavior lasts once it begins. These definitions highlight how latency specifically pertains to the timing of the response in relation to the initiating stimulus, making it the appropriate choice for this scenario.