Term
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Definition
| The likelihood that a target behavior will occur in a given circumstance; computed by calculating (a) the proportion of occurrences of behavior that were preceded by a specific antecedent variable and (b) the proportion of occurrences of problem behavior that were followed by a specific consequence. It ranges from 0.0 to 1.0; the closer it is to 1.0, the stronger the relationship is between the target behavior and the antecedent/consequence variable. |
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Term
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Definition
| Exchanging the reinforcement contingencies for two topographically different responses. |
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Term
| descriptive functional behavior assessment |
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Definition
| Direct observation of problem behavior and the antecedent and consequent events under naturally occurring conditions. |
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Term
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Definition
| An analysis of the purposes (functions) of problem behavior, wherein antecedents and consequences representing those in the person's natural routines are arranged within an experimental design so that their separate effects on problem behavior can be observed and measured; typically consists of four conditions; three test conditions - contingent attention, contingent escape, and alone - and a control condition in which problem behavior is expected to be low because reinforcement is freely available and no demands are placed on the person. |
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Term
| functional behavior assessment (FBA) |
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Definition
| A systematic method of assessment for obtaining information about the purposes (functions) a problem behavior serves for a person; results are used to guide the design of an intervention for decreasing the problem behavior and increasing appropriate behavior. |
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Term
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Definition
| Serving the same function or purpose; different topographies of behavior are functionally equivalent if they produce the same consequences. |
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Term
| indirect functional assessment |
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Definition
| Structured interviews, checklists, rating scales, or questionnaires used to obtain information from people who are familiar with the person exhibiting the problem behavior (e.g., teachers, parents, caregivers, and/or the individual him- or herself); used to identify conditions or events in the natural environment that correlate with the problem behavior. |
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