Which experimental design begins with the concurrent measurement of two or more behaviors in a baseline condition, followed by the application of the treatment variable to one behavior while baseline conditions remain in effect for the other behaviors, and then applying the treatment sequentially to the others?

• A. Multiple Baseline Design
• B. Naturally Existing Contingency
• C. Multiple Exemplar Training
• D. Motivating Operation

Answer: (A)

The main idea is testing functional control across behaviors by using a multiple baseline design across behaviors. You start by measuring several behaviors concurrently in baseline. Then you apply the treatment to one behavior while the other behaviors remain in baseline. After observing a clear change in the treated behavior, you apply the treatment to the remaining behaviors one at a time. This staggered introduction shows that changes in each behavior align with the start of its own treatment, supporting that the intervention is producing the effects rather than other factors.

This design is used when you want to demonstrate control across multiple behaviors without withdrawing treatment. The other options aren’t experimental designs of this type: Naturally existing contingencies refer to using contingencies that are already in place without manipulating baselines; multiple exemplar training is about teaching across different examples to promote generalization; motivating operation concerns how an event changes the value of a consequence, not a design structure for staggered treatment.