GHABA Proficiency II flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Three-term contingency

The antecedent stimulus (SD), the behavior, and the consequence (SR) that together describe operant relations. Behavior is occasioned by the SD and selected by the consequence.

Negative reinforcement

A contingency in which a response terminates or avoids a stimulus, increasing the future probability of that response. Removal of the aversive event is the reinforcer.

Establishing operation

A motivating operation that increases the reinforcing value of a consequence and evokes the behavior that has produced it. Deprivation and instructions are common examples.

Extinction burst

A temporary increase in the rate, magnitude, or variability of a response when reinforcement is withheld. It is expected and should be anticipated in intervention planning.

Variable ratio schedule

A reinforcement schedule in which a response is reinforced after an unpredictable number of responses averaging a set value. It typically produces high, steady response rates resistant to extinction.

Discriminative stimulus

A stimulus in the presence of which a response has been reinforced and in whose absence it has not. It occasions the response but does not itself strengthen it.

Experimental functional analysis

A systematic manipulation of antecedents and consequences to identify the variable maintaining problem behavior. Test conditions are compared against a control condition to demonstrate a functional relation.

Indirect assessment

Information gathered through interviews, rating scales, or record review rather than direct observation. It is efficient but yields weak evidence of function and requires corroboration.

Descriptive assessment

Direct observation in natural settings recording antecedents, behavior, and consequences. It reveals correlations between events but cannot establish causal or functional relations.

Operational definition

A behavior definition stating observable actions with clear onset and offset criteria so that independent observers can record the same events reliably. Vague labels are excluded.

Paired-choice preference assessment

A method presenting stimuli in pairs and recording selections across trials to rank relative preference. It produces a hierarchy but does not demonstrate that an item functions as a reinforcer.

MSWO assessment

Multiple stimulus without replacement: several items are presented, the selected item is removed, and remaining items are re-presented. It efficiently ranks many items in fewer trials.

Differential reinforcement of alternative

DRA reinforces a specified alternative behavior while withholding reinforcement for the problem behavior. The alternative should be functionally equivalent and more efficient.

Differential reinforcement of other behavior

DRO delivers reinforcement when the target behavior has not occurred for a set interval. Intervals must initially be shorter than the baseline inter-response time.

Noncontingent reinforcement

NCR delivers the maintaining reinforcer on a time-based schedule independent of behavior. It reduces the establishing operation and typically lowers response rate.

High-probability request sequence

A sequence of requests with high compliance followed by a low-probability request. The procedure increases compliance through behavioral momentum.

Treatment integrity

The degree to which an intervention is implemented as designed, usually expressed as the percentage of planned steps performed correctly. Low integrity undermines conclusions about effectiveness.

Response cost

A punishment procedure removing a specified amount of a reinforcer contingent on the target behavior. It requires a rich reinforcement schedule for appropriate behavior.

Rate calculation

Rate equals the number of responses divided by the observation time, expressed as responses per unit time. It permits comparison across sessions of unequal duration.

Partial-interval recording

A discontinuous measure scoring an interval if the behavior occurs at any point within it. It generally overestimates the true duration of behavior.

Momentary time sampling

A discontinuous measure recording whether the behavior is occurring at the instant an interval ends. It is generally the least biased sampling method for high-rate behavior.

Interobserver agreement

Agreement between two independent observers calculated as agreements divided by total observations, times 100. Acceptable levels are typically 80 percent or higher.

Multiple baseline design

A single-case design introducing intervention sequentially across behaviors, settings, or participants while baselines remain in effect. Replication of effect demonstrates a functional relation without withdrawal.

Visual analysis

Judging graphed data by level, trend, and variability within and across phases. It determines whether behavior changed coincident with the intervention.

Informed consent

Voluntary agreement after disclosure of procedures, risks, benefits, alternatives, and the right to withdraw. It requires capacity and must be documented and ongoing.

Least restrictive procedure

Selecting the least intrusive intervention likely to be effective, with the best risk-benefit ratio. More restrictive procedures require documented justification and oversight.

Scope of competence

The boundary of practice defined by training, supervised experience, and credentialing. Services outside that boundary require consultation, additional training, or referral.

Mandatory reporting

The legal duty to report suspected abuse, neglect, or harm to designated authorities. It overrides confidentiality and must be documented.

Behavioral skills training

A training package of instruction, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback repeated until criterion performance. Rehearsal with feedback is the essential active component.

Supervision documentation

Records of supervision dates, duration, activities, trainee performance data, and signatures. They support accountability and demonstrate that required supervision hours occurred.

Caregiver training fidelity

Measurement of whether caregivers implement planned procedures as designed. Child behavior change is interpreted only in light of caregiver implementation data.

Generalization programming

Planning for behavior to occur across untrained settings, people, and stimuli. Strategies include training loosely, using natural contingencies, and reinforcing response variability.