Applied Behavior Analysis Overview

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to Applied Behavior Analysis, derived from the provided lecture notes.

Experimentation

Controlled comparison that requires manipulation of the independent variable to observe effects on the dependent variable.

Functional relation

Exists when a controlled experiment shows that a specific change in one event can be produced reliably by manipulating an environmental event.

Determinism

The fundamental assumption that the universe is lawful and orderly.

Empiricism

The practice of objective observation of the phenomena of interest.

Replication

Repeating experiments to validate findings.

Habilitation

A process aimed at helping individuals with disabilities gain, maintain, or improve skills for daily living.

Response Class

A group of responses that produce the same effect on the environment.

Conditioned Reinforcer

A stimulus that functions as a reinforcer because of prior association with other reinforcers.

Negative Reinforcement

The removal of a stimulus that increases the future occurrence of behavior.

Chaining

A specific sequence of discrete responses that, when linked together, produce a reinforcement.

Motivating Operations (MOs)

Variables that alter the effectiveness of a reinforcer and influence the frequency of associated behaviors.

Stimulus Control

When the frequency or form of a behavior varies based on the presence or absence of a particular stimulus.

Social Validity

The degree to which target behaviors and treatment outcomes are deemed important and appropriate by society.

Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible behavior (DRI)

Reinforcement of a behavior that cannot occur simultaneously with a problem behavior.

Functional Behavior Assessment

A process to identify the function of problem behavior through a variety of assessment methods.

Extinction

The process of withholding reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior.

Positive Punishment

The addition of a stimulus following a behavior that decreases the future frequency of that behavior.

Prompt Dependency

When a learner relies on prompts to perform a skill or behavior that they have previously mastered.

Equivalence

The emergence of accurate responding to untrained and nonreinforced stimulus-stimulus relations.

Self-Management

The personal application of behavior change tactics that leads to a desired change in behavior.

Generalization

Performing a skill in untrained environments or situations, often as a result of varied teaching methods.

Immediate Reinforcement

The provision of a reinforcer directly after a desired behavior.

Trial-based Functional Analysis

Using short, discrete trials to assess the function of a behavior in a typical routine.

Behavioral Momentum

The tendency for a behavior's resistance to change following alterations in reinforcement conditions.