Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Practice Test

What is the MOST important measure of behavior when aiming to decrease the number of cigarettes smoked per day?

1. Frequency

2. Duration

3. Intensity

4. Rate

The correct answer is: Rate

When aiming to decrease the number of cigarettes smoked per day, the most important measure of behavior is rate. Rate is a measure that combines both the frequency of the behavior and the time frame in which it occurs, providing a clear picture of how many cigarettes are smoked per day. It allows practitioners to see not just how often smoking happens but also how that behavior changes over a specific period. In this context, understanding the rate of smoking is crucial because the ultimate goal is to effectively reduce the overall number of cigarettes consumed daily. Monitoring the rate helps in evaluating the efficacy of interventions, determining trends over time, and making necessary adjustments to the behavioral change strategies. While frequency indicates how many times cigarettes are smoked, it does not account for the time factor—thus, it may not reflect the behavior accurately when the time frame varies. Duration focuses on how long smoking occurs, which might not be as relevant when the primary concern is reducing the sheer amount smoked. Intensity may refer to the heaviness of smoking or the impact it has, but for a straightforward goal of decreasing quantity, focusing on the rate provides the most actionable data for behavior modification.