Applied Behavioral Analysis Exam 1

Applied behavior analysis the application of the principles of behavior to areas of social significance

Behavior what a living organism does

Behaviorism the theoretical framework that behavior analysis is based on

Controlling variable the stimulus in the environment that is causing a change in the target behavior

Environment the circumstances in which an organism exists

Experimental analysis of behavior the study of the basic principles of behavior

Stimulus something in the environment that results in a change in behavior

Continuous recording each instance of the behavior is recorded

Covert behavior behavior which is only observable to the person engaging in the behavior

Direct assessment observation and recording of a target behavior as it occurs

Duration how long a behavior occurs (amount of time)

Frequency the number of times a behavior occurs

Indirect assessment information about the target behavior is obtained from interviews, questionnaires, etc.

Intensity the physical force of a behavior

Interval recording recording method in which the observation period is divided into smaller intervals of equal length

Latency the time from some stimulus to the onset of the behavior

MTS recording an occurrence of behavior is scored if the behavior is occurring at a specified time during the interval

Observation period the time during which an observer records the occurrence of a target behavior

Operational definition a description of behavior that allows for precise measurement and agreement between observers

Overt behavior behavior which is observable to anyone

Partial-interval recording an occurrence of behavior is scored if the behavior has occurred during any part of the interval

Percentage of opportunities number of correct instances of the behavior out of the total number of times the behavior could have occurred

Product recording recording the occurrence of a behavior based on some physical remnant of the behavior

Rate number of times a behavior occurs divided by the observation duration

Target behavior the behavior of interest

Whole-interval recording an occurrence of behavior is scored if the behavior has occurred during the entire interval

A-B design a single-subject research design in which there is one baseline and one treatment phase

A-B-A-B reversal design a single-subject research design in which there are multiple baseline and treatment phases for each participant

Alternating treatments (multielement) design a single-subject research design in which two or more conditions are conducted in rapid succession and compared with each other

Baseline the condition in which no treatment is in place

Changing criterion design a single-subject research design in which sequential performance "steps" are specified for how much the target behavior should change

Dependent variable the variable that is measured by the researcher

Experimental design the way that data are collected that allows one to determine if there is a cause and effect relationship between the IV and DV

Functional relationship a cause and effect relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable

Group design a resaerch design in which statistics are used to determine whether there is a sgnificant difference across groups

Independent variable the variable that is changed by the researcher

Irreversibility a phenomenon in which behavior does not return to baseline levels following treatment

Multiple baseline design a single-subject research design in which a treatment phase is introduced at different times for different people, settings, or behaviors

Single subject design a resaerch design in which one person experiences every condition that behavior across all conditions is compared

Time series graph a visual represetnation of behavior across time

Assent willingnes to participate given by a person who does not have the legal right to make decisions on behalf of themself

Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) the national organization that certifies behavior analysts and provides self-regulation within the field

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) a person who has met all certification requirements and passed the certification exam
consent permission given by a person with the legal right to make decisiosn on behalf of themself or another person

Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts (ECBA) the set of conduct standards that all certified behavior analysts are required to follow

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the systematic application of behavioral principles to improve socially significant behaviors. It includes techniques for understanding and modifying behavior through controlled variables, recording methods, and experimental designs. ABA relies on empirical data to assess effectiveness and is often utilized in therapeutic settings, particularly for individuals with developmental disorders.