Functional Assessment and Program Development

Question 1

Functional Analysis

Answer 1

An experimental method in which antecedents and consequences are systematically manipulated to identify the function of a behavior.
No-Jargon Def.: Testing to see what causes a behavior by changing what happens before or after it.

Question 2

Anecdotal Observation

Answer 2

A descriptive method involving the recording of all behaviors and environmental events during a specific time period without predefined criteria. No-Jargon Def.: Writing down everything that happens around a behavior to look for patterns.

Question 3

Behavior Checklist

Answer 3

A structured list of behaviors used to identify the presence or absence of specific behavioral characteristics. No-Jargon Def.: A list used to check off behaviors that a person does or doesn’t show.

Question 4

Behavioral Assessment

Answer 4

A comprehensive evaluation involving direct and indirect measures to identify behavior patterns and inform intervention. No-Jargon Def.: A way to learn about someone’s behavior by watching, asking, and checking records.

Question 5

Behavioral Cusp

Answer 5

A behavior that exposes an individual to new environments, reinforcers, contingencies, responses, and stimulus controls. No-Jargon Def.: A skill that opens the door to learning more skills or experiences.

Question 6

Ecological Assessment

Answer 6

An evaluation that considers the physical, social, and instructional environment in which behavior occurs. No-Jargon Def.: Looking at everything around a person to understand their behavior better.

Question 7

Function-based definition

Answer 7

Defines behavior in terms of its effect on the environment or the purpose it serves. No-Jargon Def.: Describing a behavior by what it gets or avoids.

Question 8

Habilitation

Answer 8

The degree to which an individual’s repertoire maximizes short- and long-term reinforcers and minimizes punishers. No-Jargon Def.: Helping someone learn skills that make life better and easier.

Question 9

Normalization

Answer 9

The use of culturally typical behaviors and settings to enable individuals with disabilities to participate in everyday life. No-Jargon Def.: Making sure people with disabilities can live life like everyone else.

Question 10

Pivotal Behavior

Answer 10

A behavior that, when learned, produces changes in other untrained behaviors. No-Jargon Def.: A skill that helps improve lots of other skills too.

Question 11

Reactivity

Answer 11

The phenomenon where individuals alter their behavior due to awareness of being observed. No-Jargon Def.: People act differently when they know they’re being watched.

Question 12

Relevance of behavior rule

Answer 12

Only target behaviors that will produce reinforcement in the person’s natural environment should be selected for change. No-Jargon Def.: Teach behaviors that will actually help someone in real life.

Question 13

Social Validity

Answer 13

The extent to which target behaviors, interventions, and outcomes are acceptable and meaningful to stakeholders. No-Jargon Def.: Making sure the goals and results really matter to the person and people around them.

Question 14

Target Behavior

Answer 14

The specific behavior selected for change. No-Jargon Def.: The behavior we want to change.

Question 15

Topography-based definition

Answer 15

Defines behavior by its physical form or shape. No-Jargon Def.: Describing a behavior by what it looks like.