Behavior analysts have a threefold mission with regards to behavior analysis as a science: description, prediction, and control. These three goals guide our efforts to understand, analyze and modify behavior in various contexts. Let's review each goal.

Description

Description involves systematically observing and recording behavior in order to create a clear and objective account of what is happening. This description provides the foundation upon which all other analyses are built. By documenting behavior in precise and measurable terms, we establish a common language and a baseline understanding of the behavior of interest.

Description enables us to answer questions such as "What is the behavior of concern?" and "How often does it occur?" This requires the use of operational definitions, which ensure that the behavior is defined in a way that anyone can understand and replicate the observations. Description also allows us to break down complex behaviors into manageable components, making it easier to analyze and ultimately intervene.

Prediction

The next level of scientific understanding involves prediction. This occurs in behavior analysis when the analyst is able to identify patterns and relationships between variables that allow us to anticipate when and under what conditions a behavior is likely to occur. By examining the antecedents, consequences, and other environment variables, behavior analysts predict likely causes of behavior, along with potential new behaviors to learn.

Prediction is invaluable to behavior analysts as it is a necessary step to inform further causal relationships. Oftentimes initial patterns in early assessment guides interventions, and informs additional experimental assessments moving the scientific understanding even further.

Control

The ultimate aim of behavior analysis is "control". Control, in this context, means influencing or modifying behavior to achieve specific goals, with an established functional relation between with intervention and the behavior change.

"Control" may sound coercive or manipulative, though that is not the meaning of control in this context. Rather, behavior analysts use evidence-based techniques to bring about meaningful and positive changes in behavior and ensuring those techniques actually cause those positive changes to occur.

The terms below are included in the next TAFMEDS deck. Review them now, so you are ready to go through the deck.

Description: The lowest level of scientific understanding involving documenting details of the observed phenomenon

Prediction: The second level of scientific understanding when study shows two events consistently relate to each other

Control: The highest level of scientific understanding occurring when through controlled experiments a functional relation exists

Science: A systematic approach involving observation, measurement, and experimentation to develop and refine understanding of phenomena of interest

Before you go through the Content Item Quiz, let's take a look at a challenging question similar to one that could appear on the quiz or even on the BCBA exam.

As a behavior analyst conducting a research study, Stephanie completes an observation with her client and identifies and defines the target behavior. Stephanie defines the target behavior well enough that it can be measured accurately and reliably. At this point in the study, which level of scientific understanding appears to be achieved?

a. Measurement

b. Description

c. Prediction

d. Control

The correct answer is Description. Did you get it correct?

Stephanie, the behavior analyst, has successfully identified and defined the target behavior in a way that allows for accurate and reliable measurement. This achievement corresponds to the level of scientific understanding known as "Description." In behavior analysis, description involves providing a detailed and objective account of the behavior, ensuring that it can be measured effectively. Stephanie's precise definition of the target behavior demonstrates her ability to achieve the level of description in her research study.

Why are the other options incorrect?

Measurement: While measurement is a critical component of behavior analysis, it typically involves the quantification of behavior rather than its identification and definition. Measurement is NOT one of the identified "level" of scientific understanding as the question asked. On the exam, you will see many options that could be true, but is not what they are looking for. Since measurement is not one of the three levels of scientific understanding, this should be the first answer a test taker should rule out.

Prediction: Prediction refers to the researcher identifying two or more variables correlating. Often, prediction can be achieved when there is deemed a significant correlation through a scientific study. The question gives no potential indicators that two variables correlate, making it so you are able to rule out this answer.

Control: Control in behavior analysis refers to the highest level of scientific understanding, where the analyst can manipulate variables to produce a specific behavior reliably. It requires a functional relation to be demonstrated through experimentation. Stephanie, in this scenario, is still in the initial stages of identifying and defining the target behavior, making control an inappropriate choice.

Additional tip for the exam

Eliminate Incorrect Options: Look for any reason to rule out a potential answer. The questions on the exam go through rigorous testing, and if an answer could easily be ruled out, it would not be left as the correct answer. Even narrowing the questions down to two potential answers will give you a higher chance at guessing the correct answer.