What term describes a reliable relation in which changes in the dependent variable are produced by systematic manipulations of the independent variable?

• A. Valence of Behavior
• B. Stimulus Generalization
• C. Functional Relation
• D. Differential Reinforcement of Alternate Behavior

Answer: (C)

The main concept here is establishing a functional relation. In ABA, a functional relation means that deliberate, systematic changes to the environment (the independent variable) reliably produce changes in the behavior of interest (the dependent variable), and this pattern is demonstrated under controlled conditions and can be replicated. This is exactly what “changes in the dependent variable produced by systematic manipulations of the independent variable” describes.

So, the correct term is functional relation because it captures that dependable, experimentally demonstrated link between how you manipulate the environment and how the behavior changes.

Valence of Behavior refers to the reinforcing value or preference for outcomes, not to the demonstration of a causal link between environmental manipulation and behavior. Stimulus Generalization is about responding to stimuli similar to a trained one, not about establishing a causal relation via manipulation. Differential Reinforcement of Alternate Behavior is a reinforcement strategy to shape a different appropriate behavior, not the definition of a functional relation itself.