Which term refers to the degree to which findings generalize to other subjects, settings, or behaviors?

• A. Functional Relation
• B. External Validity
• C. Extinction Burst
• D. Generalized Behavior Change

Answer: (B)

External validity concerns how well the results of a study extend to other subjects, settings, and related behaviors. It captures the degree to which findings generalize beyond the specific sample and conditions tested. For example, if an intervention improves classroom on-task behavior in one group, high external validity predicts similar effects in other groups, in different classrooms, and for related behaviors. The other terms describe different ideas: a functional relation is about showing a cause-and-effect link between manipulated variables and behavior within the study; an extinction burst is a temporary increase in behavior when reinforcement stops; generalized behavior change describes the occurrence of the behavior change across multiple settings or stimuli, which is related but not the overall measure of how broadly findings generalize.