What term describes the outcome of an experiment that demonstrates a functional relation and shows that a predictable change in behavior can be produced by manipulating the independent variable?

• A. EXPERIMENTAL CONTROL
• B. FREE OPERANT
• C. RATE
• D. HALLWAY TIME OUT

Answer: (A)

Experimental control is the outcome where changing the independent variable yields a predictable, replicable change in the target behavior, proving a functional relation. When the DV changes in line with the IV—and other variables are ruled out as causes—the behavior is shown to be under the influence of the manipulation. This is what tells us the relation is not due to chance or extraneous factors, but directly controlled by the experimental treatment.

If you’re thinking about other terms: a free operant describes a setup that allows any response to occur, which doesn’t by itself demonstrate that a specific manipulation produces a predictable change. Rate is just a measurement of how often the behavior occurs, not the demonstration of control. Hallway time out is a punishment procedure, not the outcome showing a functional relation between the manipulation and behavior.