A.1 Description, Prediction, Control

This summary covers the goals of behavior analysis as a science, namely description, prediction, and control, as outlined in A.1 of the 6th Edition BCBA Test Content Outline.

Description

• Definition: Description involves facts about observable events that can be analyzed and compared (Cooper, Heron, and Heward, 2020).
• Objective Description: Use objective, observable, and operational terms rather than subjective ones like "bad" or "mean."
• Key Questions:
  • Is it observable? (Can it be seen, felt, heard, reported?)
  • Is it objective? (Does it require no special interpretation and is purely factual?)
  • Is it operational? (Does everyone agree that something has occurred?)

Prediction

• Definition: Refers to anticipating the outcome of a future event (Cooper, Heron, and Heward, 2020).
• Examples:
  • Use past data trends to predict future events.
  • Correlations can help in predictions, but remember: correlation does not equal causation.

Control

• Definition: Represents the highest level of scientific understanding, where functional relations and causation are derived (Cooper, Heron, and Heward, 2020).
• Explanation:
  • Control does not mean manipulating people, but controlling external variables to explain phenomena.
  • Demonstrated through the scientific method: If an independent variable reliably affects a dependent variable, and extraneous causes are eliminated, control is achieved.
• Caution: Don't confuse control in behavior analysis with experimental control.

Conclusion

• Understanding these concepts is crucial for preparing for the BCBA exam.

References

• Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2022). BCBA Test Content Outline (6th ed.).
• Cooper, Heron, & Heward. (2020). Applied Behavior Analysis (3rd ed.).

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