RBT Exam Vocabulary Flashcards (Hopebridge Study Kit)

A set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering key RBT terminology from the Hopebridge study kit.

Continuous Reinforcement

The target behavior is reinforced after every occurrence.

Deprivation

Withholding a reinforcer to make it more effective when delivered.

DRI (Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behaviors)

Reinforce a behavior that cannot occur simultaneously with the undesirable behavior.

DRA (Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behaviors)

Reinforce an appropriate, alternative replacement behavior.

DRO (Differential Reinforcement of Other Behaviors)

Reinforce any behavior other than the undesirable behavior.

Discontinuous Measurement

Measuring some instances of behavior, not all (e.g., partial/whole interval recording, momentary time sampling).

Discrete Trial

A learning opportunity controlled by the teacher, with a correct response reinforced; broken into smaller parts.

Discrimination Training

Reinforce in the presence of one stimulus and extinguish in the presence of another.

Discriminative Stimulus (Sd)

A cue that signals reinforcement is available for a specific response.

Dual Relationship

Multiple roles between therapist and client or parent; aka multiple relationships.

ABC (Antecedent–Behavior–Consequence)

The three-part contingency: antecedent, behavior, and consequence.

Abolishing Operation

Decreases the effectiveness of a reinforcer (often linked to satiation).

Acquisition

A target that is in the process of being taught.

Antecedent Interventions

Modifying environmental factors to promote appropriate behavior and reduce triggers.

Antecedent

Events that occur before a behavior.

Backward Chaining

Teach steps from last to first, prompting earlier steps; reinforcement after task completion.

Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)

Plan used after function is determined; includes antecedent strategies, replacement behavior, and interventions.

Behavior Skills Training (BST)

Instruction, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback to teach new skills.

Behavior

Anything that can be observed and measured.

4 Functions of Behavior

Automatic/Sensory, Escape, Attention, Access (tangibles).

Chaining

Teaching multi-step skills; steps are linked in a sequence (forward, backward, or total task).

Consequence

Something that follows a behavior.

Continuous Measurement

Recording every occurrence of a behavior (e.g., frequency, duration, rate).

Frequency

Count of how many times a behavior occurs.

Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA)

Process to determine the function of a behavior to guide interventions.

Functional Analysis (FA)

Manipulating the environment to understand the function of a behavior.

Functional Relationship

How a person’s behavior changes the world around them and the likelihood of future behavior.

Functions of Behavior

Escape, Access, Attention, and Sensory functions identified in ABA.

Generalization

Change that occurs outside the learning context (settings, time, people).

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; protects health information.

Imitation

Copying someone’s motor movements.

Incidental Teaching

Teaching moments that occur in natural environments during everyday activities.

Instructional Control

History of reinforcing compliance and pairing to gain control over responses.

Intermittent Reinforcement

Reinforcing some but not all correct responses.

Inter-Response Time (IRT)

The time between two successive responses.

Intraverbal

Verbal behavior answering questions or engaging in conversation about non-present topics.

Latency

Time between the presentation of the Sd and the response.

Duration

The amount of time a behavior is performed.

Echoic

Verbal imitation; repeating what is heard.

Error Correction (ECTER)

A sequence: Error, Correction, Transfer, Expand, Return; prompt and reinforce correct response.

Errorless Teaching

Prompt the correct response immediately to prevent errors.

Establishing Operation

Increases the current effectiveness of a reinforcer (often via deprivation).

Ethics

Following the BACB Code of Ethics to guide practice.

Expressive Language

Ability to express thoughts, wants, and needs (labeling, forming sentences, asking, etc.).

Extinction

Withholding reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior, reducing its future frequency.

Extinction Burst

Temporary increase in frequency/intensity when extinction begins.

Fixed Interval (FI)

Reinforcement after a fixed amount of time.

Fixed Ratio (FR)

Reinforcement after a fixed number of responses.

Forward Chaining

Teach steps from first to last, prompting later steps; reinforce after each step.

Preference Assessment

Assessment to determine what the learner is motivated by.

Primary Reinforcer

Unconditioned reinforcers that are naturally rewarding.

Principles of Reinforcement

Deprivation, Immediacy, Size, Contingency.

Prompt

Assistance added to evoke a desired response; can be stimulus or response prompts.

Stimulus Prompt

Prompts that alter the stimulus to aid the correct response.

Prompt Hierarchy

Levels of prompts from greatest to least (or vice versa).

Prompt Fading

Gradually removing prompts to transfer control to the Sd.

Punishment (General)

Something added or removed after a behavior that decreases its future frequency.

Positive Punishment

Presenting a stimulus after a behavior to decrease it.

Negative Punishment

Removing a stimulus after a behavior to decrease it.

Rate

Ratio of count per observation time.

Reactive Strategies

Techniques used in emergencies to gain control of dangerous behavior.

Listener Responding

Receptive language; following directions.

LRFFC (Listener Responding Feature Function Class)

Describes and receptively identifies objects by feature, function, or class.

Magniture

The force or intensity with which a response is emitted.

Maintenance

Maintaining previously learned skills over time as reinforcement fades.

Mand

A request or demand for something motivated by need or desire.

Measurement

Systematic data collection on skills or behaviors.

Momentary Time Sample

Record whether a behavior occurs at a specific moment within an interval.

Motivating Operation (MO)

A change in environment that alters the effectiveness of a reinforcer.

Natural Environment Teaching (NET)

Learner-initiated learning opportunities with reinforcers drawn from the natural environment.

Negative Reinforcement

Removing a stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior.

Operational Definition

A clear, objective, observable definition of a target behavior.

Pairing

Establishing yourself as a reinforcer by pairing with other reinforcers.

Permanent Product

A tangible product that proves a skill has been learned.

Replacement Behavior

A desirable behavior used to replace an unwanted behavior.

Response Prompt

Prompts used in expressive or receptive language (gestural, model, or verbal).

Role of the RBT

Program implementation, data collection, stakeholder communication, and following the BCBA plan and BIP.

Satiation

Reinforcers lose effectiveness due to overuse.

Secondary Reinforcer

A conditioned reinforcer gained through pairing with primary reinforcers.

Setting Events

Context or circumstances that influence the strength of stimuli and responses.

Shaping

Reinforcing gradual changes toward a target behavior while fading previous responses.

Skill Acquisition

Development of new skills and habits.

Spontaneous Recovery

Reappearance of an extinguished behavior after a period without reinforcement.

Stimulus Control

Stimulus conditions that precede a behavior and affect its likelihood.

Stimulus Control Transfer

Removing prompts to transfer control of behavior to the Sd via prompt fading.

MOO Language

Measurable, Observable, Objective language used in session notes.

Force-choice

Preference assessment where the learner makes a forced choice among presented stimuli.

Free Operant

Preference assessment where the learner has free access to stimuli and time spent is measured.