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ABA Glossary

93 terms from the free RBT and BCBA sampler decks, each written in the ≤ 8-word fluency form you type in a SAFMEDS timing — not a paragraph you skim. Every definition is original, paraphrased study material; no BACB task-list or exam text is reproduced.

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93 terms

BCBABehaviorism and Philosophical Foundations

Behavioral Skills Training (BST)Instruction, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback for skill development
Benefit OthersMaximize benefits, minimize harm to stakeholders
Cultural HumilityOngoing self-reflection about own cultural values and impact
Goals of Behavior AnalysisDescription, prediction, and control of responding
Internal ValidityExtent DV changes are attributed to IV
Interobserver Agreement (IOA)Degree independent observers agree on recorded values
MandMotivation-controlled verbal operant whose specific consequence reinforces
Motivating Operation (MO)Environmental variable altering reinforcer effectiveness and behavior frequency
Radical BehaviorismSkinner's philosophy treating private events as behavior
Response ClassGroup of acts with the same effect
Rule-Governed BehaviorBehavior controlled by verbal antecedents describing contingencies
Seven Dimensions of ABAApplied, behavioral, analytic, technological, conceptually systematic, effective, generality
ShapingDifferentially reinforcing successive approximations
TactNonverbal discriminative stimuli control this verbal operant
Token EconomyTokens as conditioned reinforcers exchangeable for backups

BCBAConcepts and Principles

Abolishing Operation (AO)MO that decreases reinforcing effectiveness
AntecedentStimulus change occurring before behavior
ChainingTeaching response sequences; each response cues the next
ConsequenceStimulus change follows behavior
Discrete Trial Training (DTT)Structured teaching: antecedent, response, consequence trials
DiscriminationResponding differently across different stimuli
Establishing Operation (EO)MO that increases reinforcing effectiveness
ExtinctionDiscontinuing reinforcement; previously reinforced behavior decreases
GeneralizationResponding similarly across different stimuli
Natural Environment Training (NET)Teaching in natural environment; naturally occurring consequences
Negative PunishmentStimulus removed after behavior; behavior decreases
Negative ReinforcementStimulus removed after behavior; behavior increases
Operant BehaviorBehavior controlled by its consequences
Positive PunishmentStimulus added after behavior; behavior decreases
Positive ReinforcementStimulus added after behavior; behavior increases
PromptAntecedent assistance that evokes a response
Prompt FadingGradually removing prompts until behavior occurs independently
Respondent BehaviorBehavior elicited by antecedent stimuli

BCBAExperimental Design

Alternating Treatments DesignComparing treatments by rapidly alternating between them
Changing Criterion DesignPerformance matches criterion systematically changed in steps
Component AnalysisEvaluation of individual treatment package components
Confounding VariableExtraneous factor varying systematically with IV threatens validity
External ValidityFindings generalized across subjects, settings, and skills
Multiple Baseline DesignExperimental control by staggering intervention across baselines
Parametric AnalysisManipulation of IV range to determine optimal values
Reversal DesignDemonstrates control by alternating baseline and treatment
Social ValidityGoals, procedures, outcomes acceptable to stakeholders

BCaBABehavior Assessment

Attention FunctionMaintained by social positive reinforcement
Automatic FunctionMaintained by sensory stimulation independent of others
Direct AssessmentObserving and recording behavior in real-time
Escape FunctionMaintained by removing unpleasant stimuli or demands
Function of BehaviorPurpose served: attention, escape, tangible, automatic
Functional AnalysisExperimentally manipulates antecedents and consequences to identify function
Functional Behavior AssessmentSystematic process identifying variables maintaining problem behavior
Indirect AssessmentAssessment via informant report
Interobserver AgreementAgreement between independent observers recording same data
Multiple Stimulus Without ReplacementItems presented simultaneously; selections not replaced
Paired StimulusPreference assessment: two items presented per trial
Preference AssessmentSystematic method identifying preferred stimuli
Tangible FunctionMaintained by access to preferred items
Treatment IntegrityDegree treatment implemented as designed

RBTData Collection and Graphing

DurationAmount of time from onset to offset
FrequencyCount of times behavior occurs
Operational DefinitionObservable, measurable, clearly defined description of behavior

RBTBehavior Assessment

BehaviorObservable, measurable action of an organism
Discriminative StimulusStimulus in whose presence responses are reinforced
Functions of BehaviorAttention, escape, tangibles, automatic reinforcement
PunishmentDecreases future behavior probability via consequence
ReinforcementIncreases future behavior probability via consequence
Stimulus DeltaStimulus in whose presence responses are not reinforced
Three-Term ContingencyThe relationship between antecedent, behavior, and consequence (A-B-C)

RBTBehavior Reduction

Backward ChainingLast step taught, then adding previous steps
Differential ReinforcementReinforcing one response class; withholding for another
Discrete Trial TrainingStructured teaching: antecedent, responding, consequence
Forward ChainingFirst step taught, then adding subsequent steps
Gestural PromptGesture or movement to help learner respond
Least-to-Most PromptingLeast intrusive prompt first, increasing as needed
Model PromptDemonstrate correct response for learner to imitate
Most-to-Least PromptingMost intrusive prompt first, fading to less intrusive
Naturalistic TeachingTeaching in natural environment using natural rewards
Physical PromptPhysical guidance to help learner respond
Verbal PromptSpoken words to help learner respond

RBTEthics

AssentClient's affirmative agreement to participate in services
ConfidentialityProtecting client information from unauthorized disclosure
Conflict of InterestPersonal interests could interfere with professional obligations
Dignity and RespectTreating all clients with respect regardless of differences
Documentation RequirementsAccurately recording session data and observations
Dual RelationshipsMultiple roles with client that could impair judgment
Evidence-Based PracticeUsing interventions supported by scientific research and data
Gifts and CompensationAvoiding gifts over ten dollars or undue influence
Informed ConsentVoluntary agreement after clear information about services
Mandatory ReportingLegal obligation to report suspected abuse or neglect
Ongoing SupervisionRegular oversight from qualified supervisor throughout services
Professional BoundariesMaintaining appropriate limits in professional relationships
Professional DevelopmentOngoing learning to maintain and improve competence
Scope of CompetenceProvide services only within training and supervision boundaries
Social Media GuidelinesMaintaining confidentiality and professional boundaries in online communications
Supervisor OversightWorks under qualified analyst supervision

Looking for terms beyond the samplers? The full corpus — 30 decks, 700+ terms mapped to the BCBA 6th-edition TCO and RBT 3rd-edition Task List — is inside the app. See terminology decks by level or compare plans.

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BCBA®, BCaBA®, RBT®, and BACB® are registered trademarks of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. ("BACB"). TAFMEDS is an independent product and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the BACB.