This question assesses knowledge of the characteristics and requirements of a changing criterion design a type of singlesubject research design The changing criterion design is used to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention that aims to produce a stepwise incremental change in the level of a target behavior Experimental control is demonstrated when the behavior closely tracks the successive changes in the criterion Option 1 True This design is indeed ideal for behaviors that are already present in the learners repertoire and can be systematically shaped by setting successive ascending or descending criterion levels Option 2 True To strengthen the demonstration of a functional relation the criterion can be raised or lowered a minireversal to a previously met level If the behavior reliably changes with these criterion shifts it provides strong evidence of experimental control Option 3 False While a baseline phase can certainly be included in a changing criterion design it is not inherently required or a defining feature The initial criterion level can be set based on the current performance level and experimental control is primarily demonstrated by the successive stepwise changes in the behavior tracking the changing criterion and especially through shifts back to previous criterion levels This is a common point of misunderstanding unlike designs like withdrawal or multiple baseline a stable baseline is not a prerequisite for demonstrating control in a changing criterion design though it can provide useful descriptive information Option 4 True In a changing criterion design the intervention eg reinforcement for meeting the criterion or punishment for not meeting it is delivered only when the clients behavior meets or exceeds the current criterion set by the experimenter This contingency is how the design effectively shapes the behavior towards the desired level