Applied Behavior Analysis – Guided Practice Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering core Applied Behavior Analysis terms, principles, assessments, measurement methods, teaching procedures, behavior functions, and reinforcement strategies discussed in the lecture notes.

Positive Reinforcement

Presentation of a stimulus immediately following a behavior that increases the future frequency of that behavior.

Positive Reinforcer

A stimulus whose presentation functions as reinforcement by increasing future behavior.

Negative Reinforcement

Removal of a stimulus immediately following a behavior that increases the future frequency of that behavior.

Negative Reinforcer

A stimulus whose termination or reduction in intensity increases future behavior.

Positive Punishment

Presentation of a stimulus following a behavior that decreases the future frequency of that behavior.

Negative Punishment

Removal of a stimulus following a behavior that decreases the future frequency of that behavior.

Unconditioned Reinforcer (Primary)

A stimulus that functions as a reinforcer without prior learning history (e.g., food, water, warmth).

Conditioned Reinforcer (Secondary)

A previously neutral stimulus that becomes reinforcing through pairing with an unconditioned or conditioned reinforcer (e.g., tokens, money, praise).

Continuous Reinforcement (CRF)

Reinforcement is provided for every occurrence of the target behavior.

Intermittent Reinforcement

Only some occurrences of a behavior are reinforced.

Fixed Ratio (FR) Schedule

Reinforcement delivered after a set number of responses (e.g., FR4 = every 4th response).

Variable Ratio (VR) Schedule

Reinforcement delivered after an average number of responses (e.g., VR4 = about every 4th response).

Fixed Interval (FI) Schedule

Reinforcement delivered for the first response after a fixed amount of time has passed (e.g., FI5 = first response after 5 min).

Variable Interval (VI) Schedule

Reinforcement delivered for the first response after an average amount of time has passed (e.g., VI5 = about every 5 min).

Mass Trial

Teaching method where the same new SD is presented repeatedly in succession.

Random Rotation

Interspersing trials of various targets in random order during instruction.

Token Economy

A reinforcement system consisting of target behaviors, generalized conditioned reinforcers (tokens), and backup reinforcers.

Backup Reinforcer

Preferred items or activities obtained by exchanging tokens in a token economy.

Natural Environment Training (NET)

Teaching skills within naturally occurring routines led by the child’s motivation.

Incidental Teaching

Using naturally occurring events to create learning opportunities, often by requiring the child to communicate to complete a routine.

This method enhances communication and learning by embedding instruction in real-life situations.

Preference Assessment

Systematic method for identifying stimuli that may function as reinforcers.

Free Operant Assessment

Observation-based preference assessment allowing unrestricted access to many items; engagement time indicates preference.

Single Stimulus Assessment

Successive-choice method presenting one item at a time and recording approach or non-approach.

Paired Stimulus Assessment

Forced-choice method presenting two items; selections are tallied to rank preferences.

Multiple Stimulus With Replacement (MSW)

Array of items presented; chosen item stays, unchosen items are replaced each trial.

Multiple Stimulus Without Replacement (MSWO)

Array of items presented; chosen item removed, remaining items rearranged for next trial.

Satiation

Loss of a reinforcer’s effectiveness due to overexposure.

Shaping

Reinforcing successive approximations toward a desired behavior.

Successive Approximation

A response closer to the terminal behavior than the previous response, reinforced during shaping.

Behavior Chain

Sequence of behaviors that, when linked, produce a terminal outcome.

Task Analysis

Breaking a complex skill into smaller, teachable steps.

Forward Chaining

Teaching a chain starting with the first step; remaining steps are prompted.

Backward Chaining

Teaching a chain starting with the last step; earlier steps are prompted.

Total Task Presentation

Training on every step of the chain during each session, prompting as needed.

Escape/Avoidance Function

Behavior that results in avoidance of or escape from undesired situations.

Attention Function of Behavior

Behavior that gains social attention from others.

Access to Tangible Function of Behavior

Behavior that gains access to desired items or activities.

Automatic Reinforcement Function of Behavior

Behavior that is intrinsically reinforcing without social mediation.

Antecedent

Event occurring immediately before a behavior.

Consequence

Event occurring immediately after a behavior.

Antecedent Intervention

Behavior change strategy that manipulates environmental stimuli to reduce behaviors.

Functional Communication Training (FCT)

Establishes an appropriate communicative behavior to replace challenging behaviors that are evoked by a motivating operation

Premack Principle

Using a high-probability activity to reinforce completion of a low-probability activity.

Non-Contingent Reinforcement (NCR)

Reinforcer delivered on a schedule independent of the target behavior.

Duration (Measurement)

Total time a behavior occurs.

Frequency

How many times a behavior occurs.

Rate

Frequency of behavior per unit of time (Frequency ÷ Time).

Inter-Response Time (IRT)

Time between the end of one response and the start of the next.

Latency

Time from stimulus onset to initiation of a response.

Momentary Time Sampling

Recording whether behavior is occurring at the instant the interval ends.

Partial-Interval Recording

Recording whether behavior occurred at any time during the interval.

Whole-Interval Recording

Recording whether behavior occurred for the entire interval.

Permanent Product

Concrete outcome of behavior used as measurement (e.g., completed worksheets).

Discriminative Stimulus (SD)

Antecedent stimulus that has stimulus control over behavior and signals the availability of reinforcement.

Discrete Trial

Structured instructional unit with SD, prompt, response, consequence, and inter-trial interval.

Prompt

Supplementary antecedent stimulus that evokes a desired response.

Inter-Trial Interval

Brief pause between discrete trials.

Most-to-Least Prompting

Starting with a strong prompt and gradually fading to weaker prompts.

Least-to-Most Prompting

Starting with minimal prompts and increasing intrusiveness until a correct response occurs.

Errorless Learning

Instructional approach preventing errors by using most-to-least prompting and immediate reinforcement.

Stimulus Control Transfer

Fading prompts so the natural SD alone evokes the behavior.

S-Delta (SΔ)

Stimulus in whose presence a behavior does not produce reinforcement.

Discrimination Training

Reinforcing a response in the presence of one stimulus and not another.

Baseline

Data collected on behavior prior to intervention, with no prompts or reinforcement.

Generalization

Ability to perform a skill across different situations, people, and stimuli over time.

Stimulus Generalization

Skill demonstrated under varied conditions (different settings, people, materials).

Response Generalization

Learner emits functionally equivalent variations of the taught behavior.

Maintenance

Continued performance of a skill after intervention ends.

Verbal Behavior

Behavior reinforced through mediation of another person’s verbal behavior; includes vocal and non-vocal forms.

Receptive Language

Ability to understand spoken or written language.

Expressive Language

Ability to communicate wants and needs verbally or non-verbally.

Echoic

Vocal imitation of another speaker’s verbal behavior.

Mand

Requesting what one wants or needs; controlled by motivating operations.

Intraverbal

Responding verbally to another’s verbal behavior

Tact

Labeling objects or actions present in the environment.

Textual

Reading written words aloud.

Transcription

Writing or spelling words spoken by another (taking dictation).

Motivating Operation (MO)

Environmental variable that alters the value of a reinforcer and the current frequency of behavior related to it.

Establishing Operation (EO)

MO that increases the effectiveness of a reinforcer.

Abolishing Operation (AO)

MO that decreases the effectiveness of a reinforcer.

Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC)

Communication methods other than vocal speech (e.g., sign, pictures, devices).

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

Symbolic communication system enabling non-verbal individuals to initiate requests via picture exchange.

Pairing

Consistently associating oneself or an activity with reinforcement to build rapport or value.

Behavior (Definition)

Anything an organism does that is observable and measurable.

Operational Definition

Objective, measurable description of a target behavior including examples and non-examples.

Differential Reinforcement

Reinforcing responses meeting specific criteria while withholding reinforcement for others.

DRA (Alternative)

Reinforcement for an alternative, functional behavior while extinguishing the target behavior.

DRI (Incompatible)

Reinforcement for a behavior incompatible with the target behavior.

DRO (Other)

Reinforcement delivered when the target behavior does not occur for a specified time.

DRL (Low Rates)

Reinforcement for keeping behavior at or below a predetermined low level.

DRH (High Rates)

Reinforcement for emitting the behavior at or above a predetermined criteria.

Extinction

Withholding reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior, leading to its decrease.

Extinction Burst

Temporary increase in frequency, duration, or intensity of behavior when reinforcement has been removed

Spontaneous Recovery

Reappearance of an extinguished behavior after a period without reinforcement.

ABLLS

Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills covering 25 developmental domains.

Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)

Process of identifying the function of behavior through data, observation, and interviews.

Functional Analysis (FA)

Experimental manipulation of environmental variables to confirm behavioral function.