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RBT: Behavior Analysis Terms

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Measurement, skill acquisition, and behavior reduction terms from the RBT task list.

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Applied behavior analysis (ABA)

(Foundations) The science of applying learning principles to socially significant behavior, measured through observable, objective data.
Behavior

(Foundations) Anything a person does that can be observed and measured. Internal states and labels are not behavior.
Operational definition

(Measurement) A description of behavior in observable, measurable terms specific enough that two observers would agree.
Three-term contingency (ABC)

(Foundations) Antecedent, behavior, consequence - the basic unit of analysis.
Frequency (count)

(Measurement) The number of times a behavior occurs. Meaningful only when observation time is equal or also reported.
Rate

(Measurement) Count divided by observation time, which allows comparison across sessions of different lengths.
Duration

(Measurement) How long a behavior lasts from onset to offset. Used when the length matters more than the count.
Latency

(Measurement) The time between the antecedent or instruction and the start of the behavior.
Interresponse time (IRT)

(Measurement) The time between the end of one response and the start of the next.
Whole-interval recording

(Measurement) Scored only if the behavior occurs for the entire interval. Tends to underestimate.
Partial-interval recording

(Measurement) Scored if the behavior occurs at any point in the interval. Tends to overestimate.
Momentary time sampling

(Measurement) Scored only if the behavior occurs at the moment the interval ends. Practical for group observation.
Permanent product recording

(Measurement) Measuring the tangible outcome a behavior leaves behind rather than observing it directly.
Continuous vs. discontinuous measurement

(Measurement) Continuous records every instance; discontinuous samples and therefore estimates.
Interobserver agreement (IOA)

(Measurement) Two independent observers scoring the same event to check whether the data are reliable.
Baseline

(Assessment) Data collected before intervention, used as the comparison for judging whether treatment worked.
Preference assessment

(Assessment) A procedure to identify likely reinforcers by sampling what the learner chooses or engages with.
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.
Positive vs. negative reinforcement

(Reinforcement) Positive adds a stimulus, negative removes one. Both increase behavior.
Positive vs. negative punishment

(Punishment) Positive adds an aversive stimulus, negative removes a preferred one. Both decrease behavior.
Automatic vs. socially mediated reinforcement

(Reinforcement) Automatic reinforcement comes directly from the behavior itself; socially mediated requires another person to deliver it.
Continuous vs. intermittent schedule

(Schedules) Continuous reinforces every response and builds behavior quickly; intermittent reinforces some responses and builds resistance to extinction.
Fixed vs. variable ratio

(Schedules) Fixed ratio reinforces after a set number of responses; variable ratio after an average number and produces steadier responding.
Fixed vs. variable interval

(Schedules) Fixed interval reinforces the first response after a set time; variable interval after an average amount of time.
Extinction

(Behavior Reduction) Withholding the reinforcer that maintained a behavior so the behavior decreases over time.
Extinction burst

(Behavior Reduction) A temporary increase in frequency, intensity, or duration right after extinction begins. Expected, not a sign of failure.
Spontaneous recovery

(Behavior Reduction) The reappearance of an extinguished behavior after time has passed, usually brief if extinction continues.
Discriminative stimulus (SD)

(Stimulus Control) A stimulus in whose presence a response has been reinforced, so it signals reinforcement is available.
S-delta

(Stimulus Control) A stimulus signaling that responding will not be reinforced.
Motivating operation

(Foundations) An event that changes how effective a reinforcer is and how likely related behavior becomes. Deprivation and satiation are examples.
Prompt

(Skill Acquisition) An added cue that helps a correct response occur. It is not part of the natural antecedent.
Prompt hierarchy

(Skill Acquisition) Ordered levels of assistance, commonly gestural, verbal, model, partial physical, and full physical.
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.
Prompt fading

(Skill Acquisition) Systematically reducing assistance so the natural stimulus, not the prompt, controls the response.
Prompt dependency

(Skill Acquisition) When a learner waits for the prompt instead of responding to the natural cue. Caused by inadequate fading.
Discrete trial training (DTT)

(Skill Acquisition) Instruction broken into short, structured trials each with a clear antecedent, response, and consequence.
Naturalistic teaching

(Skill Acquisition) Teaching in the natural environment using the learner's own interests and naturally occurring reinforcers.
Task analysis and chaining

(Skill Acquisition) Breaking a complex skill into steps, then teaching them forward, backward, or as a total task.
Shaping

(Skill Acquisition) Reinforcing successive approximations toward a target behavior that the learner cannot yet perform.
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.
Differential reinforcement (DRA/DRI/DRO)

(Behavior Reduction) Reinforcing an alternative, an incompatible, or the absence of the target behavior while withholding reinforcement for it.
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.
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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