Behavior Modification / Chapter 1 Terms

Front 1

Applied Behavior Analysis

Back 1

A term often used interchangeably with the term behavior modification; it involves analyzing and modifying human behavior.

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Behavior

Back 2

The subject matter of behavior modification.
It is what a person says or does; it involves a per-
son’s actions.

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Behavior Modification

Back 3

The field of psychology concerned
with analyzing and modifying human behavior (also
called applied behavior analysis).

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Behavioral Deficit

Back 4

A desirable target behavior that a person seeks to increase in frequency, duration, or intensity.

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Behavioral Excess

Back 5

An undesirable target behavior that a person seeks to decrease in frequency, duration, or intensity.

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Controlling Variable

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The environmental events (antecedents and consequences) that influence the probability of a particular behavior. They are the antecedents and consequences that are functionally related to the behavior.

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Covert Behaviors

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Behavior that is not observable to others. They are also called private events.

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Dimensions

Back 8

Aspects of the behavior that can be measured and modified. May include frequency, duration, intensity, and latency.

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Duration

Back 9

A dimension of behavior, specifically the time from the onset of the behavior to the offset of the behavior. It is how long an instance of the behavior lasts.

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Experimental Analysis of Behavior

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The scientific study of behavior and the types of environmental events that are functionally related to the occurrence of behavior. Involves laboratory research with nonhumans and humans.

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Frequency

Back 11

A dimension of behavior—specifically, the number of times a behavior occurs in a specific time period. The number of responses divided by the time equals the rate of the behavior.

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Intensity

Back 12

A dimension of behavior, specifically the physical force or magnitude of the behavior. Often measured with a recording instrument or on a rating scale.

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Latency

Back 13

A dimension of behavior, specifically the time from some stimulus to the onset of the behavior.

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Law of Effect

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States that a behavior that produces a favorable effect on the environment will be more likely to be repeated in the future.

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Overt Behavior

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Behavior that can be observed and recorded by a person other than the one engaging in the behavior.

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Target Behavior

Back 16

In behavior modification, the behavior to be modified.