Behavior Analysis Concepts

Flashcards covering key concepts in behavior analysis

Preference assessment

A procedure to determine the relative value of items or activities based on an individual's selections

Reinforcer assessment

A procedure designed to test if a stimulus functions as a reinforcer

Function-based intervention

An intervention procedure that is based on the function of the problem behavior

Behavior contract

A mutually agreed upon document between parties specifying a relationship between certain behaviors and consequences

Social validity

The acceptability of an intervention

Antecedent

An environmental condition or stimulus change existing prior to a behavior of interest

Consequence

A stimulus change that follows a behavior of interest

Response

Anything an organism does

Behavior Analysis

The scientific investigation of behavior rooted in behavior-environment functional relations

Applied Behavior Analysis

A scientific approach to understanding behavior, rooted in the philosophy of radical behaviorism, to produce socially important behavior change

Radical Behaviorism

The guiding philosophy of behavior analysis that assumes all behavior, both public and private, can be understood through its environmental relations and is lawful

Functional Analysis

An analysis in terms of behavioral functions

Punishment

Process in which the likelihood of a response is reduced by its consequences

Reinforcement

Process in which the likelihood of a response is increased by its consequences

Punisher

A stimulus or event that reduces the likelihood of the response that precedes it

Reinforcer

A stimulus or event that increases the likelihood of the response that precedes it

Stimulus

Any event

Extinction

The discontinuation of reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior, resulting in a decrease in that behavior

Positive Reinforcement

Operation or procedure in which the likelihood of a response is increased by the response-contingent presentation of a stimulus

Negative Reinforcement

Operation or procedure in which the likelihood of a response is increased by the response-contingent removal or reduction of a stimulus

Positive Punishment

Operation or procedure in which the likelihood of a response is reduced by the response-contingent presentation of a stimulus

Negative Punishment

Operation or procedure in which the likelihood of a response is reduced by the response-contingent removal or reduction of a stimulus

Aversive Control

Control of behavior through punishment or negative reinforcement

Aversive Stimulus

A stimulus whose presentation serves as a positive punisher or whose removal serves as a negative reinforcer

Timeout

A period during which a behavioral contingency is suspended

Escape

Termination of a stimulus by a response

Avoidance

Prevention of a stimulus by a response

Operational Definition

Specification of a variable in terms of the procedures involved in arranging it or measuring it

Interobserver Agreement

A method for establishing that human-transduced data is believable by comparing the records of two independent observers

Behavior Analyst

An individual who holds or has submitted a complete application for BCBA or BCaBA certification

Behavior Change Intervention

The full set of behavioral procedures designed to improve the client’s wellbeing

Scope of Practice

The professional activities appropriate to the field of behavior analysis

Scope of Competence

The professional activities a behavior analyst can consistently perform with proficiency

Supervisee/Trainee

Any individual whose behavioral service delivery is overseen by a behavior analyst within the context of a defined, agreed-upon relationship

Multiple Relationship

A comingling of two or more of a behavior analyst’s roles with a client, stakeholder, supervisee, trainee, research participant, or someone closely associated with or related to the client

Client

The direct recipient of the behavior analyst’s services

Stakeholder

An individual other than the client who is impacted by and invested in the behavior analyst’s services