ABA Terms
Variable interval - a reinforcement schedule in which the reinforcement is presented after a
variable amount of time.
Forward Chaining - a method for teaching behavior chains that begins with the learner being
prompted and taught to perform the first behavior in the task analysis; the trainer completed the
remaining steps in the chain.
Antecedent - Environmental conditions or stimulus changes that occur prior to the behavior of
interest
Antecedent stimulus class - Stimuli that share a common relationship
Applied Behavior Analysis - A discipline devoted to understanding and improvement of socially
significant human behavior. Focus on objectively defined, observable behaviors. Use science methods of
description, quantification, and analysis.
Aversive stimulus - stimulus conditions whose termination functions as reinforcement
Backward Chaining - A teaching procedure in which all behaviors are initially completed by the
trainer except for the final behavior in the chain.
3-term contingency - The basic unit of analysis in the analysis of operant behavior. Includes
antecedent, behavior, and consequence.
Deprivation - Absence of reinforcer for a period of time, thereby making that event more effective
as a reinforcer.
Event recording - Measurement procedure for obtaining a tally or count of the number of times a
behavior occurs.
, Exclusion time out - the physical removal of a student from a reinforcing environment or activity
for a specific period of time
Extinction - The discontinuing of a reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior.
Extinction burst - An increase in the frequency of the responding when an extinction procedure is
implemented.
Establishing operant - a motivating operation that increases the effectiveness of some stimulus,
object, or event as a reinforcer
Generalization - a learned behavior that carries over into other environments
Negative punishment - A response behavior is followed immediately by the removal of a stimulus.
The response is eliminated or suppressed. (refusal to eat dinner, get no dessert)
Negative Reinforcement - a response is followed immediately by the removal, termination,
reduction, or postponement of a stimulus, which leads to an increase in the future occurrence of that
response.
Non-exclusion time out - Person remains within setting but does not have access to reinforcers for
a specified period
IRT Inter Response Time - interval of time between occurrences of the target behavior.
Motivating Operant - An environmental variable that (a) alters (increases or decreases) the
reinforcing effectiveness of some stimulus, object, or event and (b) alters (increases or decreases) the
current frequency of all behavior that have been reinforced by that stimulus, object, or event".
Operant behavior - any behavior whose future frequency is determined by its history of
consequences.
Variable interval - a reinforcement schedule in which the reinforcement is presented after a
variable amount of time.
Forward Chaining - a method for teaching behavior chains that begins with the learner being
prompted and taught to perform the first behavior in the task analysis; the trainer completed the
remaining steps in the chain.
Antecedent - Environmental conditions or stimulus changes that occur prior to the behavior of
interest
Antecedent stimulus class - Stimuli that share a common relationship
Applied Behavior Analysis - A discipline devoted to understanding and improvement of socially
significant human behavior. Focus on objectively defined, observable behaviors. Use science methods of
description, quantification, and analysis.
Aversive stimulus - stimulus conditions whose termination functions as reinforcement
Backward Chaining - A teaching procedure in which all behaviors are initially completed by the
trainer except for the final behavior in the chain.
3-term contingency - The basic unit of analysis in the analysis of operant behavior. Includes
antecedent, behavior, and consequence.
Deprivation - Absence of reinforcer for a period of time, thereby making that event more effective
as a reinforcer.
Event recording - Measurement procedure for obtaining a tally or count of the number of times a
behavior occurs.
, Exclusion time out - the physical removal of a student from a reinforcing environment or activity
for a specific period of time
Extinction - The discontinuing of a reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior.
Extinction burst - An increase in the frequency of the responding when an extinction procedure is
implemented.
Establishing operant - a motivating operation that increases the effectiveness of some stimulus,
object, or event as a reinforcer
Generalization - a learned behavior that carries over into other environments
Negative punishment - A response behavior is followed immediately by the removal of a stimulus.
The response is eliminated or suppressed. (refusal to eat dinner, get no dessert)
Negative Reinforcement - a response is followed immediately by the removal, termination,
reduction, or postponement of a stimulus, which leads to an increase in the future occurrence of that
response.
Non-exclusion time out - Person remains within setting but does not have access to reinforcers for
a specified period
IRT Inter Response Time - interval of time between occurrences of the target behavior.
Motivating Operant - An environmental variable that (a) alters (increases or decreases) the
reinforcing effectiveness of some stimulus, object, or event and (b) alters (increases or decreases) the
current frequency of all behavior that have been reinforced by that stimulus, object, or event".
Operant behavior - any behavior whose future frequency is determined by its history of
consequences.
