Which statement best differentiates Behavioral ABCs from Cognitive ABCs?

• A. They focus on beliefs
• B. They ignore behavior
• C. They address emotions
• D. They focus on behavior

Answer: (D)

Behavioral ABCs focus on observable behavior and the environmental factors that shape it, using the antecedent–behavior–consequence sequence. This framework aims to modify behavior by altering triggers and reinforcement, so the emphasis is squarely on action rather than internal thoughts. That makes the statement about focusing on behavior the best differentiator from Cognitive ABCs, which place primary importance on beliefs, interpretations, and automatic thoughts that underlie emotional responses and actions. While both approaches can consider emotions, Cognitive ABCs center on cognition, not the observable action per se. The other statements misrepresent Behavioral ABCs: they are not about beliefs, they do not ignore behavior, and although they can address emotions, the defining feature is the behavioral focus.