Terminology
Any event, action, or stimulus that occurs immediately before a target behavior, acting as a trigger or cue
Antecedent
A type of verbal operant where a speaker repeats the vocal sounds, words, or phrases spoken by another person, functioning like an echo
Echoic
A client completes a puzzle correctly and the RBT immediately gives them a sticker. The client begins completing puzzles more often.
Positive Reinforcement
Actions aimed at gaining social interaction, reaction, or acknowledgment from others
Attention
A child receives a token every single time they correctly hand a puzzle piece to the therapist during a table activity, with no exceptions.
This is?
Continuous Measurement
Any observable and measurable action or response an individual makes, representing an interaction with their environment
Behavior
A simple request for something a person wants or needs
Mand
A client throws a tantrum when asked to complete a difficult task. The RBT removes the task for a short break. The client now tantrums strategically when they want the task removed.
Negative Reinforcement
A behavior that occurs because the individual wants to get a specific item, activity, or food
Access
A RBT gives a client a break after an average of 3 minutes of staying in their seat quietly, but the exact time varies unpredictably (sometimes 2 minutes, sometimes 4.) The client learns to stay seated quietly consistently because they don't know when the break will come.
Variable Interval
Anything in the environment that can affect behavior
Stimulus
A type of verbal behavior where an individual labels, names, or identifies an object, action, or event in their environment based on sensory input
Tact
A nonverbal child touches a picture card to request a snack. The therapist hands them the snack immediately. Over time, the child uses the picture card more frequently to make requests.
Positive Reinforcement
A 5-year-old client throws blocks whenever the therapist begins a non-preferred puzzle. Each time, the therapist removes the puzzle and gives the child a short break before re-presenting it.
Escape
An RBT provides a break to a child every 5 minutes if they stay in their seat and work quietly, regardless of how many tasks they complete in that time.
What reinforcement schedule is this?
Fixed Interval
The process of a therapist building rapport by associating themselves with a client's favorite items or activities
Pairing
A type of verbal operant where a speaker responds to another person's verbal behavior
Intraverbal
A child rocks in their chair to escape a loud group activity. The therapist moves the child to a quieter area. The rocking behavior increases in future sessions when they want quiet.
Negative Reinforcement
A parent reports a child continuously jumping off of the headboard at home. They do not intervene and there are no demands being placed.
What could the function of the behavior be?
Automatic
5-year-old client earns a sticker after every 4 completed tasks during table work. After earning 5 stickers, the client exchanges them for 3 minutes of iPad time. What reinforcement schedule is being used?
Fixed Ratio
A behavior a person performs is known as a
Response
Following directions or responding to the verbal behavior of others (e.g., "Give me the book").
Listener Responding
During a therapy session, a child engages in hand-flapping when instructions are too difficult. The therapist removes the difficult task for a short break. The child now flaps hands strategically when they want tasks removed.
Negative Reinforcement
A client was given instruction to stop playing with a preferred toy. The RBT then asks the child to start a non-preferred table activity. The child immediately starts yelling and throws a pencil.
What could be the function of behavior?
Escape & Access
An 8-year-old client earns a token after completing an unpredictable number of math problems—sometimes after 2 correct responses, sometimes after 5, sometimes after 3. On average, reinforcement occurs after every 4 correct responses. The client maintains a high and steady rate of responding with very few pauses. This is what kind of reinforcement schedule?
Variable Ratio