Applied Behavior Analysis Technician (ABAT) Practice Test 2026 – The Comprehensive All-in-One Guide for Exam Success!

Respondent behavior is defined as behavior that is elicited or triggered by specific antecedent stimuli. This type of behavior is typically associated with reflexive responses that occur automatically in reaction to certain stimuli, without any prior learning involved. For instance, the classic example of respondent behavior is salivating when smelling food, which is a natural reaction to an antecedent stimulus (the food smell).

In contrast, operant behavior involves actions that are influenced by the consequences that follow them, rather than by specific antecedent stimuli. It is more voluntary in nature and often requires learning or past experiences to occur, indicating a different underlying mechanism than respondent behavior.

While voluntary behavior may overlap with operant behavior, it does not encompass the reflexive aspect intrinsic to respondent behavior, which often occurs involuntarily and automatically. Involuntary behavior aligns more closely with the nature of respondent behavior, but the key distinction is the focus on elicitation by antecedent stimuli, making "respondent behavior" the most precise answer in this context.