Which of the following best describes the purpose of setting behavioral criteria?

Setting behavioral criteria is fundamentally about ensuring that the skills being targeted are functional and exceed mere chance levels of performance. This means that the criteria are established not just to identify if a behavior is occurring, but to ensure that the behavior is being demonstrated at a level that is meaningful and applicable in real-world situations.

Functional skills are those that have practical utility in a person's life; they enable the individual to communicate effectively, navigate social situations, and achieve personal goals. By setting criteria that exceed chance levels, practitioners ensure that the measured behaviors are reliable indicators of actual skill and competence, rather than random success or partial understanding.

In contrast to this, other options do not serve the same purpose. For example, determining the popularity of behavior does not assess its functionality or real-world application. Using the maximum level required for success may not provide a realistic target for individuals, potentially leading to frustration or failure. Evaluating behavior based solely on subjective observations can lead to inconsistencies and biases, making it difficult to accurately assess a person's skills. Thus, the primary aim of setting behavioral criteria aligns closely with ensuring the skills are functional and exceed chance levels.