In behavior analysis, which component refers to the events that occur before a response?

• A. Antecedent
• B. Behavior
• C. Consequence
• D. Setting

Answer: (A)

Antecedents are events that occur before a response and set the occasion for the behavior. In the ABC framework, the antecedent is the cue, instruction, or environmental condition that signals that a particular behavior will be reinforced, thereby influencing how likely the behavior is to occur. For example, a teacher saying “Raise your hand” before students speak is an antecedent cue that prompts the targeted response. The actual action is the behavior, and what follows—reinforcement or punishment—serves as the consequence and shapes future occurrences. The setting refers to context or location, which can influence behavior but is not the pre-response event term used here.