ABA Principles & Terminology Flashcards

Which term describes the functional relationship between a behavior and the events that precede and follow it?

Answer: Three-term contingency

The three-term contingency (A-B-C) describes the antecedent, behavior, and consequence relationship central to ABA.

A child learns to request items using a picture card. This form of mand training primarily targets which verbal operant?

Answer: Mand

A mand is a verbal operant controlled by motivating operations and results in specific reinforcement related to the request.

What does 'extinction burst' refer to in behavior analysis?

Answer: A temporary increase in behavior when reinforcement is withheld

An extinction burst is the temporary increase in frequency, duration, or intensity of a behavior when reinforcement is first removed.

Which schedule of reinforcement produces the highest and most consistent rate of responding?

Answer: Variable ratio

Variable ratio schedules produce the highest, most consistent response rates because reinforcement is unpredictable but tied to number of responses.

In ABA, 'shaping' is best defined as:

Answer: Reinforcing successive approximations toward a target behavior

Shaping reinforces successive approximations, gradually guiding behavior toward a final target form.

A stimulus that gains reinforcing properties through repeated pairing with an established reinforcer is called a:

Answer: Conditioned reinforcer

A conditioned (secondary) reinforcer acquires its value through association with an unconditioned or another conditioned reinforcer.

Which concept explains why a previously reinforced behavior may spontaneously reappear after extinction?

Answer: Spontaneous recovery

Spontaneous recovery is the reappearance of an extinguished behavior after a rest period without reintroducing reinforcement.