RBT: Behavior Analysis Terms
English · 43 cards
Measurement, skill acquisition, and behavior reduction terms from the RBT task list.
All cards in RBT: Behavior Analysis Terms
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Applied behavior analysis (ABA)
(Foundations) The science of applying learning principles to socially significant behavior, measured through observable, objective data.
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Behavior
(Foundations) Anything a person does that can be observed and measured. Internal states and labels are not behavior.
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Operational definition
(Measurement) A description of behavior in observable, measurable terms specific enough that two observers would agree.
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Three-term contingency (ABC)
(Foundations) Antecedent, behavior, consequence - the basic unit of analysis.
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Frequency (count)
(Measurement) The number of times a behavior occurs. Meaningful only when observation time is equal or also reported.
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Rate
(Measurement) Count divided by observation time, which allows comparison across sessions of different lengths.
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Duration
(Measurement) How long a behavior lasts from onset to offset. Used when the length matters more than the count.
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Latency
(Measurement) The time between the antecedent or instruction and the start of the behavior.
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Interresponse time (IRT)
(Measurement) The time between the end of one response and the start of the next.
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Whole-interval recording
(Measurement) Scored only if the behavior occurs for the entire interval. Tends to underestimate.
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Partial-interval recording
(Measurement) Scored if the behavior occurs at any point in the interval. Tends to overestimate.
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Momentary time sampling
(Measurement) Scored only if the behavior occurs at the moment the interval ends. Practical for group observation.
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Permanent product recording
(Measurement) Measuring the tangible outcome a behavior leaves behind rather than observing it directly.
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Continuous vs. discontinuous measurement
(Measurement) Continuous records every instance; discontinuous samples and therefore estimates.
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Interobserver agreement (IOA)
(Measurement) Two independent observers scoring the same event to check whether the data are reliable.
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Baseline
(Assessment) Data collected before intervention, used as the comparison for judging whether treatment worked.
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Preference assessment
(Assessment) A procedure to identify likely reinforcers by sampling what the learner chooses or engages with.
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Reinforcer vs. reward
(Reinforcement) A reinforcer is defined by its effect - it increases future behavior. If behavior does not increase, it is not a reinforcer.
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Positive vs. negative reinforcement
(Reinforcement) Positive adds a stimulus, negative removes one. Both increase behavior.
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Positive vs. negative punishment
(Punishment) Positive adds an aversive stimulus, negative removes a preferred one. Both decrease behavior.
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Automatic vs. socially mediated reinforcement
(Reinforcement) Automatic reinforcement comes directly from the behavior itself; socially mediated requires another person to deliver it.
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Continuous vs. intermittent schedule
(Schedules) Continuous reinforces every response and builds behavior quickly; intermittent reinforces some responses and builds resistance to extinction.
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Fixed vs. variable ratio
(Schedules) Fixed ratio reinforces after a set number of responses; variable ratio after an average number and produces steadier responding.
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Fixed vs. variable interval
(Schedules) Fixed interval reinforces the first response after a set time; variable interval after an average amount of time.
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Extinction
(Behavior Reduction) Withholding the reinforcer that maintained a behavior so the behavior decreases over time.
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Extinction burst
(Behavior Reduction) A temporary increase in frequency, intensity, or duration right after extinction begins. Expected, not a sign of failure.
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Spontaneous recovery
(Behavior Reduction) The reappearance of an extinguished behavior after time has passed, usually brief if extinction continues.
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Discriminative stimulus (SD)
(Stimulus Control) A stimulus in whose presence a response has been reinforced, so it signals reinforcement is available.
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S-delta
(Stimulus Control) A stimulus signaling that responding will not be reinforced.
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Motivating operation
(Foundations) An event that changes how effective a reinforcer is and how likely related behavior becomes. Deprivation and satiation are examples.
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Prompt
(Skill Acquisition) An added cue that helps a correct response occur. It is not part of the natural antecedent.
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Prompt hierarchy
(Skill Acquisition) Ordered levels of assistance, commonly gestural, verbal, model, partial physical, and full physical.
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Most-to-least vs. least-to-most prompting
(Skill Acquisition) Most-to-least starts with heavy assistance and fades it; least-to-most starts minimal and increases only as needed.
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Prompt fading
(Skill Acquisition) Systematically reducing assistance so the natural stimulus, not the prompt, controls the response.
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Prompt dependency
(Skill Acquisition) When a learner waits for the prompt instead of responding to the natural cue. Caused by inadequate fading.
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Discrete trial training (DTT)
(Skill Acquisition) Instruction broken into short, structured trials each with a clear antecedent, response, and consequence.
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Naturalistic teaching
(Skill Acquisition) Teaching in the natural environment using the learner's own interests and naturally occurring reinforcers.
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Task analysis and chaining
(Skill Acquisition) Breaking a complex skill into steps, then teaching them forward, backward, or as a total task.
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Shaping
(Skill Acquisition) Reinforcing successive approximations toward a target behavior that the learner cannot yet perform.
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Generalization vs. maintenance
(Skill Acquisition) Generalization is performing the skill across new people, settings, or materials; maintenance is performing it over time after teaching ends.
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Differential reinforcement (DRA/DRI/DRO)
(Behavior Reduction) Reinforcing an alternative, an incompatible, or the absence of the target behavior while withholding reinforcement for it.
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RBT scope of practice
(Professional Conduct) An RBT implements the plan written by the supervising behavior analyst and does not design or modify programs independently.
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Client dignity and confidentiality
(Professional Conduct) Client information is shared only with authorized parties, and services are delivered in a way that preserves the client's dignity.
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