Chapter 3: Selecting and Defining Target Behaviors Flashcards
ABC Recording/Anecdotal Observation
A form of direct, continuous observation in which the observer records a descriptive, temporally sequenced account of all behavior(s) of interest and the antecedent conditions and consequences for those behaviors as those events occur in the client’s natural environment.
-this technique produces behavioral assessment data that can be used to identify potential target behaviors.
Behavior Checklist
An itemized list that provides descriptions of specific skills (usually in hierarchical order) and the conditions under which each skill should be observed. Some checklists are designed to assess one particular behavior or skill area. Other address multiple behaviors or skill areas. Most use a Likert scale to rate responses.
Behavioral Assessment
A form of assessment that includes indirect and direct procedures such as interviews, checklists, and tests to identify and define the specific target behavior. In addition to identifying behavior(s) to change, these can;
- uncover functional relations between variables.
- provide context on resources, assets, significant others competing contingencies, maintenance, and generalization factors, and reinforcers (or punishers) that can be combined to improve the efficiency of an intervention.
Behavioral Cusp
A behavior that has sudden and dramatic consequences that extend well beyond the idiosyncratic change itself because it exposes the person to new environments, reinforcers, contingencies, responses, and stimulus controls.
- an example would be crawling or generalized imitation.
Ecological Assessment
An assessment protocol that acknowledges complex interrelationships between environment and behavior.
- is a method for obtaining data across multiple settings and persons.
Function-Based Definition
Designates responses as members of the targeted response class solely in terms of their common effect on the environment.
Habilitation
Occurs when a person’s repertoire has been changed such that short and long term reinforcers are maximized and short and long term punishers are minimized.
- the concept referring to the degree to which a person’s repertoire maximizes short and long term reinforcement for themselves and others, and minimizes short and long term punishers. Behavioral adjustment can be considered within this concept along a continuum.
Normalization
As a philosophy and principle; the belief that people with disabilities should, to the maximum extent possible, be physically and socially integrated into the mainstream of society regardless of the degree or type of disability.
As an approach to intervention; the use of progressively more typical settings and procedures “to establish and/or maintain personal behaviors which are culturally normal as possible.
Pivotal Behavior
A behavior that, when learned produces corresponding modifications or covariation in other untrained behaviors.
- not dissimilar to a behavioral cusp, referring to a behavior that once learned has immediate utility across a wide variety of settings, or within many instructional situations; for example approaching others to initiate interactions (self-initiation).
Reactivity
Effects of an observation and measurement procedure on the behavior being measured.
- is most likely when the measurement procedures are obtrusive, especially if the person being observed is aware of the observer’s presence and purpose.
Relevance of Behavior Rule
Holds that only behaviors likely to produce reinforcement in the person’s natural environment should be targeted for change.
- a rule for selecting target behavior that supports selecting behaviors to change only if they will be reinforced in the natural setting where they will occur. The idea is that newly acquired behaviors that are not reinforced will not be maintained after an intervention
Social Validity
Refers to the extent to which target behaviors are appropriate, intervention procedures are acceptable, and important and significant changes in target and collateral behaviors are produced.
- a term that applies to making judgments about the validity of behavior change efforts, and referring to one or all of the following: selection of socially important behaviors, setting goals that represent meaningful differences in the lives of clients and stakeholders, or selecting acceptable interventions, and producing socially significant changes.
Target Behavior
The response class selected for intervention; can be defined either functionally or topographically.
Topography-Based Definition
Defines instances of the targeted response class by the shape or form of the behavior.
