Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Study Guide

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the core principles, terminology, measurement systems, reinforcement schedules, and assessments of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

Science of behavior.

Behavior

Anything a person does.

Antecedent

What happens before behavior.

Consequence

What happens after behavior.

ABC Data

Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence.

Target Behavior

Behavior being measured.

Operational Definition

Clear description of behavior.

Stimulus

Something that affects behavior.

Response

One instance of behavior.

Function of Behavior

Why behavior happens.

Environment

Surroundings affecting behavior.

Evidence-Based Practice

Decisions based on evidence.

Attention

Getting someone's attention.

Escape

Avoiding something.

Access to Tangibles

Getting desired items.

Automatic Reinforcement

Behavior reinforces itself.

Positive Reinforcement

Add to increase behavior.

Negative Reinforcement

Remove to increase behavior.

Positive Punishment

Add to decrease behavior.

Negative Punishment

Remove to decrease behavior.

Reinforcement

Increases behavior.

Punishment

Decreases behavior.

Primary Reinforcer

Naturally rewarding.

Conditioned Reinforcer

Learned reward.

Generalized Conditioned Reinforcer

Reward exchangeable for many things.

Social Reinforcer

Praise or attention.

Token Reinforcer

Tokens earned as rewards.

Token Economy

Earn tokens for rewards.

Response Cost

Remove a reinforcer to decrease behavior.

Positive

Add something.

Negative

Remove something.

Continuous Reinforcement (CRF)

Reward every response.

Fixed Ratio (FR)

Set number of responses.

Variable Ratio (VR)

Changing number of responses.

Fixed Interval (FI)

Set amount of time.

Variable Interval (VI)

Changing amounts of time.

Intermittent Reinforcement

Reward some responses.

Ratio Schedule

Based on responses.

Interval Schedule

Based on time.

Motivating Operation (MO)

Changes reward value.

Establishing Operation (EO)

Increases reward value.

Abolishing Operation (AO)

Decreases reward value.

Deprivation

Want more.

Satiation

Had enough.

Extinction

Stop the maintaining reinforcer.

Extinction Burst

Temporary increase in behavior.

Spontaneous Recovery

Extinguished behavior returns.

Extinction-Induced Variability

Behavior changes during extinction.

Behavioral Contrast

Behavior changes when reinforcement changes across situations.

Frequency

Number of occurrences.

Rate

Occurrences per unit of time.

Duration

How long behavior lasts.

Latency

Time before behavior starts.

Interresponse Time (IRT)

Time between responses.

Percentage

Number correct divided by total.

Trial-by-Trial Data

Record each attempt.

Permanent Product

Result left behind.

Continuous Measurement

Record every occurrence.

Discontinuous Measurement

Sample behavior periodically.

Event Recording

Count each occurrence.

Whole-Interval Recording

Behavior lasts entire interval.

Partial-Interval Recording

Behavior occurs at any point.

Momentary Time Sampling (MTS)

Check at a specific moment.

Baseline

Behavior before intervention.

Trend

Direction of data.

Level

Amount of behavior.

Variability

How much data changes.

Interobserver Agreement (IOA)

Observers agree on measurements.

Preference Assessment

Identifies liked items.

Reinforcer Assessment

Tests what increases behavior.