Which term best describes a repeatable cause-effect relationship between manipulated and observed variables?

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

Answer: (C)

A functional relation describes a repeatable cause-and-effect link between a manipulated variable and an observed behavior. In practice, you demonstrate this by systematically changing the independent variable (for example, introducing a reinforcement contingency or altering antecedents) and watching the target behavior change in a predictable way, while other variables are kept constant. When the effect reliably follows the manipulation across sessions and settings, it shows that the manipulation is causing the behavioral change, not other factors.

Other terms don’t capture this experimental control aspect. Valence of behavior relates to how stimuli are valued rather than to a repeatable, controllable cause-and-effect link. Stimulus generalization concerns the spread of a learned response to similar stimuli, not the demonstration of a controlled relation between manipulation and effect. Differential reinforcement of alternate behavior describes a treatment procedure, not the fundamental idea of establishing a functional relation through experimental control.