Which of the following statements about cumulative records is true?

• A. Trends in a cumulative record can include a positive (increasing) and negative (decreasing) slope
• B. Data never decreases in a cumulative record; an increasing slope indicates occurrence of the target behavior, while a flat slope indicates periods of no occurrences of the target behavior
• C. A combination of all frequency scores into a single 'master score index' used in statistical analysis to compare frequency charts for different types of radical behaviors
• D. Data is recorded once per session; downward slopes indicate a decreasing trend

Answer: (B)

In a cumulative record, you keep a running total of each occurrence of the target behavior over time. Because you only add to the count when the behavior happens, the total never decreases, so the line can only stay flat or rise. An increasing slope shows that the behavior is occurring more often, while a flat slope indicates periods with no occurrences. Therefore, the statement that data never decrease and that an increasing slope signals occurrences, with a flat slope signaling no occurrences, correctly describes cumulative records.