The functional analysis is a function of a specific behavior for a specific person. The example is the autistic 4 year old's Pica behavior. After observing the child behavior including, the antecedents and the consequences, a behavior analyst would write a functional analysis of the behavior. The behavioral hypothesis would include the function of the behavior. After the function is established a behavior treatment plan would be started that would address the function of the behavior. Applied Behavior Analysis is what you study to be able to do a functional analysis.