Which term refers to the assumption that all events, including behavior, are determined by preceding events or conditions?

Which term refers to the assumption that all events, including behavior, are determined by preceding events or conditions?

• A. Empiricism
• B. Parsimony
• C. Philosophical Doubt
• D. Determinism

Answer: (D)

All events, including behavior, are determined by preceding events or conditions. This idea is determinism—the belief that behavior has causes and follows lawful relations with antecedents and consequences. In practice, it means we can predict and influence behavior by studying how prior conditions shape responses and how consequences reinforce or discourage them. By assuming determinism, behavior analysis looks for functional relationships and uses controlled methods to test how changing environments changes behavior. Empiricism is about building knowledge from observation, parsimony favors the simplest explanation, and philosophical doubt is about questioning claims; none of these capture the specific notion that behavior is caused by prior conditions the way determinism does.

All events, including behavior, are determined by preceding events or conditions. This idea is determinism—the belief that behavior has causes and follows lawful relations with antecedents and consequences. In practice, it means we can predict and influence behavior by studying how prior conditions shape responses and how consequences reinforce or discourage them. By assuming determinism, behavior analysis looks for functional relationships and uses controlled methods to test how changing environments changes behavior. Empiricism is about building knowledge from observation, parsimony favors the simplest explanation, and philosophical doubt is about questioning claims; none of these capture the specific notion that behavior is caused by prior conditions the way determinism does.