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Domain A · 5% of Exam (8 Scored Questions)

Domain A: Behaviorism and Philosophical Foundations Practice Questions

Domain A tests radical behaviorism, determinism, empiricism, parsimony, pragmatism, philosophic doubt, and distinguishing selectionism (phylogenic, ontogenic, cultural) from mentalistic explanations.

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Sample Domain A Questions

Solve these representative scenarios and examine why each distractor is incorrect:

Sample Question 01Domain A: Philosophical FoundationsExplanatory Fiction & Mentalism

A teacher asserts that a student refuses to participate in math activities because 'he possesses low intrinsic motivation and oppositional tendencies.' In the context of radical behaviorism, this statement represents which of the following?

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Sample Question 02Domain A: Philosophical FoundationsSelectionism

A young child reflexively withdraws her finger when touching a hot stove. In contrast, an older child looks both ways before crossing the road because of past feedback. The first behavior illustrates ______ selection, while the second illustrates ______ selection.

Select an option to test your answer

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Core Concepts Tested in Domain A

  • ✓Philosophical Assumptions (Determinism, Empiricism, Experimentation, Replication, Parsimony, Philosophic Doubt)
  • ✓Radical Behaviorism vs. Methodological Behaviorism
  • ✓Selectionism: Phylogenic, Ontogenic, and Cultural
  • ✓Mentalism and Hypothetical Constructs vs. Explanatory Fictions
  • ✓7 Dimensions of ABA (Applied, Behavioral, Analytic, Technological, Conceptually Systematic, Effective, Generality)
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Common Traps & Distractors in Domain A

  • • Confusing circular reasoning/explanatory fictions with true functional causes.
  • • Conflating methodological behaviorism (ignoring private events) with radical behaviorism (acknowledging private events as behavior).
  • • Selecting mentalistic constructs (e.g., 'he was angry', 'he lacks executive functioning') instead of environmental operants.