ABA DEFINITIONS
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
GRADED A+ 2025-2026
Radical Behaviorism - ANS-The basic foundation for our conceptual analyses which
permeates all the branches. All of Skinner's work has to do with conceptual analysis
Induction - ANS-Skinnerian method of investigation which involves starting with data
and then moving from bottom up rather than testing of hypotheses as used in
deductive methods of investigation
Adaptive Behavior - ANS-Skills or abilities that enable an individual to meet standards
of personal independence and responsibility that would be expected of his or her age
or social group. We replace problem behavior with adaptive skills.
Target Behavior - ANS-Any defined, observable and measurable behavior which is the
focus of assessment, analysis and intervention
Skill deficit - ANS-Can't do
Performance deficit - ANS-Won't do
EAB (Experimental Analysis of Behavior) - ANS-Our basic research. The goal is the
discovery of basic principles and processes in the lab. Uses single subject design or
within subject design; direct repeated measurement of behavior; rate of response as
the basic datum and visual inference. Most of the principles of behavior we hold are
derived from EAB.
, ABA - ANS-Our applied research. It is the application of basic principles derived from
EAB to solve problems of social significance. The goal is the development and
validation of procedures to produce socially significant change in the real world.
ABA Practice aka Behavior Analysis Service Delivery - ANS-The application of the
principles, methods and procedures of the experimental analysis of behavior and ABA
(including the principles of operant and respondent learning), to assess and improve
socially important human behavior. The goal is the implementation of validated
procedures to benefit clients.
Conceptual Analysis of Behavior - ANS-Informs the first three domains. Shapes how we
think about processes in all other branches and provides a framework for the kinds of
questions we ask.
7 Dimensions of ABA (Baer, Wolf and Risley 1968) - ANS-GET A CAB
- Generalizability
- Effective
- Technological
- Applied
- Conceptually systematic
- Analytical
- Behavioral
Response - ANS-A specific instance of behavior
Stimulus - ANS-A change in the environment which can affect behavior. An object is
not a stimulus rather it is the presentation or removal that makes it a stimulus.
Antecedent - ANS-A stimulus that precedes a response. A response that precedes a
response is not an antecedent.
Consequence - ANS-A stimulus which follows a response. AKA postcedent.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
GRADED A+ 2025-2026
Radical Behaviorism - ANS-The basic foundation for our conceptual analyses which
permeates all the branches. All of Skinner's work has to do with conceptual analysis
Induction - ANS-Skinnerian method of investigation which involves starting with data
and then moving from bottom up rather than testing of hypotheses as used in
deductive methods of investigation
Adaptive Behavior - ANS-Skills or abilities that enable an individual to meet standards
of personal independence and responsibility that would be expected of his or her age
or social group. We replace problem behavior with adaptive skills.
Target Behavior - ANS-Any defined, observable and measurable behavior which is the
focus of assessment, analysis and intervention
Skill deficit - ANS-Can't do
Performance deficit - ANS-Won't do
EAB (Experimental Analysis of Behavior) - ANS-Our basic research. The goal is the
discovery of basic principles and processes in the lab. Uses single subject design or
within subject design; direct repeated measurement of behavior; rate of response as
the basic datum and visual inference. Most of the principles of behavior we hold are
derived from EAB.
, ABA - ANS-Our applied research. It is the application of basic principles derived from
EAB to solve problems of social significance. The goal is the development and
validation of procedures to produce socially significant change in the real world.
ABA Practice aka Behavior Analysis Service Delivery - ANS-The application of the
principles, methods and procedures of the experimental analysis of behavior and ABA
(including the principles of operant and respondent learning), to assess and improve
socially important human behavior. The goal is the implementation of validated
procedures to benefit clients.
Conceptual Analysis of Behavior - ANS-Informs the first three domains. Shapes how we
think about processes in all other branches and provides a framework for the kinds of
questions we ask.
7 Dimensions of ABA (Baer, Wolf and Risley 1968) - ANS-GET A CAB
- Generalizability
- Effective
- Technological
- Applied
- Conceptually systematic
- Analytical
- Behavioral
Response - ANS-A specific instance of behavior
Stimulus - ANS-A change in the environment which can affect behavior. An object is
not a stimulus rather it is the presentation or removal that makes it a stimulus.
Antecedent - ANS-A stimulus that precedes a response. A response that precedes a
response is not an antecedent.
Consequence - ANS-A stimulus which follows a response. AKA postcedent.
