PIPA flashcards

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

Three-term contingency

The basic unit of operant analysis: an antecedent (SD or MO) sets the occasion, a behavior occurs, and a consequence follows that alters future probability of that behavior.

Negative reinforcement

A consequence in which a stimulus is removed after a response, increasing the future frequency of that response. Example: task removal following escape behavior.

Extinction burst

A temporary increase in rate, intensity, or variability of a response when the maintaining reinforcer is withheld. It is an expected feature of extinction, not evidence the procedure failed.

Variable ratio schedule

Reinforcement follows a varied, unpredictable number of responses averaging a set value. It produces high, steady response rates with few post-reinforcement pauses.

Establishing operation

A motivating operation that increases the value of a consequence as reinforcement and momentarily increases the behavior that has produced it. Example: deprivation from attention.

Functional analysis conditions

Standard test conditions include alone (automatic), attention, demand (escape), and tangible, compared against a play control condition with noncontingent attention and no demands.

Indirect versus descriptive assessment

Indirect methods use interviews and rating scales and are correlational. Descriptive methods observe behavior in natural settings, recording antecedents and consequences without manipulating contingencies.

MSWO preference assessment

Multiple stimulus without replacement: the person selects from an array, selected items are removed, and remaining items are re-presented. Rank order estimates relative preference efficiently.

Interobserver agreement

The degree to which two independent observers record the same behavior. Calculated by comparing records; low agreement indicates unreliable measurement and requires retraining or clearer definitions.

Hypothesis statement

A testable summary linking setting events and antecedents, the target behavior, and its maintaining consequence. Every intervention component in a behavior support plan should map to it.

Competing behavior model

A planning framework identifying the desired behavior, a functionally equivalent acceptable alternative to teach, and the unacceptable behavior to reduce, all linked to the same reinforcer.

Function-based intervention

Intervention selected to match the assessed function of behavior. Escape-maintained behavior calls for demand modification, choice, and break requests rather than attention-based procedures.

Social validity

The acceptability and importance of goals, procedures, and outcomes as judged by the person, family, and implementers. Low social validity predicts poor implementation and poor maintenance.

Functional communication training

Teaching a socially acceptable communication response that produces the same reinforcer as the problem behavior, then gradually thinning the reinforcement schedule to build tolerance for delay.

Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior

Reinforcing a specified alternative response while withholding reinforcement for the target behavior. The alternative should be functionally equivalent and more efficient than the problem behavior.

Noncontingent reinforcement

Delivering the maintaining reinforcer on a time-based schedule regardless of behavior. It reduces behavior by abolishing the motivating operation rather than by punishing the response.

Prompt fading

Systematically removing prompts so the response comes under control of the natural discriminative stimulus. Time delay and stimulus fading are common fading methods.

Behavioral momentum

Delivering several high-probability requests the person readily completes before presenting a low-probability request, increasing the likelihood the difficult request is completed.

Momentary time sampling

Recording whether behavior is occurring at the instant an interval ends. It is a discontinuous measure that generally estimates true rate more closely than partial- or whole-interval recording.

Partial-interval recording

Scoring an interval if behavior occurs at any point within it. It tends to overestimate behavior and is used when behavior has no clear beginning or end.

Rate calculation

Rate equals the count of responses divided by the observation time, expressed as responses per unit time. It allows comparison across sessions of differing length.

Visual analysis criteria

Judging level, trend, variability, immediacy of change, overlap between phases, and consistency across similar phases to determine whether an intervention produced a reliable effect.

Informed consent elements

Disclosure of procedures, risks, benefits, and alternatives; confirmation of capacity; voluntariness; and the right to withdraw at any time. Consent must be documented.

Least restrictive procedure

Selecting the least intrusive effective intervention, with reinforcement-based and antecedent strategies preferred before punishment. Punishment requires justification, oversight, and supporting data.

Scope of practice

The boundaries of services a professional is trained and credentialed to deliver. Cases exceeding competence require supervision, additional training, or referral rather than improvised practice.

Multiple relationship

A situation in which a professional holds more than one role with a client or family. It is avoided when it could impair objectivity or exploit the relationship.

Behavioral skills training

A staff and caregiver training package of instruction, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback repeated until a mastery criterion is met. It is the standard for building implementation skills.

Treatment integrity

The extent to which an intervention is implemented as designed, measured by direct observation of checklist steps. Low integrity must be corrected before judging intervention effectiveness.

Performance feedback

Specific, timely information describing observed behavior, its effect, and a recommended alternative. Positive feedback should outnumber corrective feedback to sustain implementation.

Implementation stages

Exploration and adoption, installation, initial implementation, full implementation, and sustainability. Training alone is insufficient; coaching and fidelity supports are needed across stages.

Escalation phases

Trigger, agitation, acceleration, peak, de-escalation, and recovery. Support and redirection fit early phases; safety and reduced demands fit peak; space and time fit recovery.

Restraint safeguards

Restraint is an emergency last resort requiring imminent risk, trained staff, continuous monitoring of breathing and circulation, documentation, debriefing, and review. Prone restraint is avoided.