AB design
A single subject research design that contains one baseline (A) and one treatment (B).
ABAB design (reversal design)
An extension of the... [Show More] AB design in which the independent variable is withdrawn and then reapplied. This reversal design can demonstrate a functional relation between dependent and independent variables.
abscissa
The horizontal or x axis of a graph. The time dimension (sessions) is represented along the abscissa.
accountability
In education, the assessment of students' progress on a regular basis and the publication of this assessment, as well as goals, objectives, and procedures, to parents, school administrators, and other parties with a right to the information.
acquisition
The basic level of student response competence. It implies the student's ability to perform a newly learned response to some criterion of accuracy.
alternating treatments design
A single-subject experimental design that allows comparison of the effectiveness of two or more treatments. It differs from other single-subject designs in that treatments (sometimes including baseline) are alternated randomly rather than presented sequentially (also known as multiple schedule design, multi-element baseline design, alternating conditions design).
antecedent stimulus
A stimulus that precedes a behavior. This stimulus may or may not serve as discriminative for a specific behavior.
applied behavior analysis
Systematic application of behavioral principles to change socially significant behavior to a meaningful degree. Research tools enable users of these principles to verify a functional relation between a behavior and an intervention.
aversive stimulus
A stimulus that decreases the rate or probability of a behavior when presented as a consequence; as such, it is a type of punisher. Alternatively, an aversive stimulus may increase the rate or probability of a behavior when removed as a consequence; as such, it is a negative reinforcer.
backup reinforcer
An object or event received in exchange for a specific number of tokens, points, etc.
bar graph
A graph that employs vertical bars rather than horizontal lines to indicate levels of performance (also called a histogram).
baseline data
Data points that reflect an operant level of the target behavior. Operant level is the natural occurrence of the behavior before intervention. Baseline data serve a purpose similar to that of a pretest, to provide a level of behavior against which the results of an intervention procedure can be compared
behavior
Any observable and measurable act of an individual (also called a response).
behavioral objective
A statement that communicates a proposed change in behavior. A behavioral objective must include statements concerning the learner, the behavior, the conditions under which the behavior will be performed, and the criteria for evaluation.
chaining
An instructional procedure that reinforces individual responses in sequence, forming a complex behavior.
changing conditions design
A single-subject experimental design that involves successively changing the conditions for response performance in order to evaluate comparative effects. This design does not demonstrate a functional relation between variables. Also called ABC design
changing criterion design
A single-subject experimental design that involves successively changing the criterion for reinforcement. The criterion is systematically increased or decreased in a stepwise manner.
concept
A set of characteristics shared by all members of a set and only the members of that set.
conditioned aversive stimulus
A stimulus that has acquired secondary aversive qualities through pairing with an unconditioned aversive stimulus, such as pain or discomfort.
conditioned reinforcer
A stimulus that has acquired a reinforcing function through pairing with an unconditioned or natural reinforcer; includes most social, activity, and generalized reinforcers
conditions
Naturally existing or teacher-created circumstances under which a behavior is to be performed.
consequence
Any stimulus presented contingent on a particular response.
contingent observation
A procedure that requires a student to watch other students without participating.
contracting
Placing contingencies for reinforcement (if ..., then ... statements) into a written document. This creates a permanent product that can be referred to by teacher and student.
controlled presentations
A variation of event recording. A method of predetermining the number of opportunities to respond. This method often involves presenting a specific number of trials per instructional session.
cumulative graph
A graph on which the number of occurrences of behavior observed in a given session is added to the number of occurrences of previous sessions in order to derive the data points to be plotted.
dependent variable
The behavior to be changed through intervention.
deprivation state
A condition in which the student has not had access to a potential reinforcer.
determinism
A philosophical belief that events, including human behavior, follow certain fixed patterns.
differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA)
Reinforcing a more appropriate form of a behavior than the one in which the student is currently engaged. DRA is often used in conjunction with redirecting behavior.
differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior (DRI)
Reinforcing a response that is topographically incompatible with a behavior targeted for reduction.
differential reinforcement of lower rates of behavior (DRL)
Delivering reinforcement when the number of responses in a specified period of time is less than or equal to a prescribed limit. This maintains a behavior at a predetermined rate, lower than at its baseline or naturally occurring frequency.
differential reinforcement of other behaviors (DRO)
Delivering reinforcement when the target behavior is not emitted for a specified period of time. Reinforcement is contingent on the nonoccurrence of a behavior.
discrete behaviors
Behaviors with a clearly discriminable beginning and ending.
duration recording
Recording the amount of time between the initiation of a response and its conclusion; an observational recording procedure.
educational goals
Statements providing the framework for planning an academic year or an entire unit of learning. They set the estimated parameters of anticipated academic and social development for which educators are responsible (also called long-term objectives).
enhanced functioning
An observable, measurable improvement in functioning, indicating that an intervention has been successful. [Show Less]
