ABA Glossary

By Dana Meller, M.A., BCBA
Edited by Tyra Sellers, J.D., Ph.D., BCBA-D
ABA Glossary by Dana Meller, M.A., BCBA, edited by Tyra Sellers, J.D., Ph.D., BCBA-D

Explanatory fiction

A mentalistic and mythical explanation for behavior that attributes unobservable processes to the occurrence of the behavior.

5th Edition Task List

A-5 Describe and define the dimensions of applied behavior analysis (Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968).

6th Edition TCO

A.5 Identify and describe dimensions of applied behavior analysis.

Related Content

  • ABA terms you need to know: technological.Technological
    A group of stimuli that share a common function, topography, or temporal relation and have a common effect on a response class (behavior). Hint: Think of the stimulus class as…
  • Hypothetical construct
    Presumed, but unobserved processes and subjective ideas that, in mentalism, are used to explain behavior and/or its causes.
  • Generality
    A dimension of ABA, which explains that any behavior change should persist across time, settings, behaviors, and people that differ from the original intervention conditions.
  • ABA terms you need to know: effective.Effective
    A dimension of ABA, which explains that ABA procedures should result in a practical, socially significant improvement in a person’s life.
  • Conceptually systematic
    A dimension of ABA, which explains that ABA procedures must be derived from the basic principles of behavior analysis.
  • ABA terms you need to know: circular reasoning.Circular reasoning
    A mentalistic process in which the cause and effect of behavior are both inferred from the same information.
  • Behavioral
    A dimension of ABA, which explains that ABA treatment must target measurable and observable behavior.
  • Applied
    A dimension of ABA, which explains that ABA treatment must aim to improve socially significant behaviors in real-world settings.
  • Analytic
    A dimension of ABA, which explains that a functional relationship is demonstrated when manipulated events (independent variables) produce a reliable change in any measurable dimension of the targeted behavior (dependent…
  • An easy way to break down the 7 dimensions of ABADana Do's: How to Easily Break Down the 7 Dimensions of ABA
    PTB co-founder Dana Meller shares an easy way to break down the 7 dimensions of ABA by using the dimensions to define what it means to be a behavior analyst, which in turn, makes it much easier to discriminate between each dimension. BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section A-5: Describe and define the dimensions of applied behavior analysis (Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968).
  • PTB co-founder Dana Meller reviews a crucial dimension of ABA, highlighting the importance of providing detailed information, similar to following a recipe, ensuring reliability and consistency in our behavior-analytic work. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section A-5: Describe and define the dimensions of applied behavior analysis (Baer, Wolf, & Riley, 1968).This Dimension of ABA Contains the Original Recipe for Replicable Procedures
    PTB co-founder Dana Meller reviews a crucial dimension of ABA, highlighting the importance of providing detailed information, similar to following a recipe, ensuring reliability and consistency in our behavior-analytic work. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section A-5: Describe and define the dimensions of applied behavior analysis (Baer, Wolf, & Riley, 1968).
  • Let's break down a BCBA® mock exam question about the dimensions of ABA.Let's Break Down and BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Dimensions of ABA — Basic Principles to Epic Interventions
    Let's break down a BCBA® mock exam question on the dimensions of ABA, their application in real-world scenarios, and what sets behavior analysts apart. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section A-5: Describe and define the dimensions of applied behavior analysis (Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968).
  • ABA Terminology: Dimensions of ABATest your ABA Terminology ➠ Identify the Correct Dimension of ABA
    Test your understanding of philosophical underpinnings with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she reviews the dimension of ABA, exhibited when a behavior analyst utilizes assessment methods to identify the function of challenging behavior. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section A-5: Describe and define the dimensions of applied behavior analysis (Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968).
  • Understanding Mentalism TerminologyUnderstanding Mentalism Terminology
    Test your understanding of philosophical underpinnings with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she discusses the term mentalism and its association with explanations and practices in traditional psychology. Dana breaks down the three terms upon which mentalism is reliant: Hypothetical Construct, Explanatory Fiction, and Circular Reasoning. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section A-5: Describe and define the dimensions of applied behavior analysis (Baer, Wolf, & Riley, 1968).
  • Breaking Down a Mock BCBA® Exam Question: Replication Using the Dimensions of ABABreaking Down a Mock BCBA® Exam Question: Replication Using the Dimensions of ABA
    Test your Philosophical Underpinnings knowledge with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she reviews a BCBA® mock exam question about identifying the specific dimension of ABA that ensures behavior analytic work can be replicated. Included is a description of behavioral, conceptually systematic, effective, and technological. As an added bonus, Dana shares a clever exercise that helps have better clarity on the purpose of each dimensions. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section A-5: Describe and define the dimensions of applied behavior analysis (Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968).
  • Break Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Use the Dimensions of ABA to Identify, "What Makes Us Behavioral?"Break Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Use the Dimensions of ABA to Identify, "What Makes Us Behavioral?"
    Test your Philosophical Underpinnings knowledge with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she reviews a BCBA® mock exam question that breaks down the dimensions of ABA, identifying the specific dimension that describes the defining features of a behavior analyst. Included is a description of each of the answer options, determinism, empiricism, applied, and behavioral. Refer to the BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section A-5: Describe and define the dimensions of applied behavior analysis (Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968).
  • Shopping Cart

    DAYS LEFT TO PASS

    Exam Changes to 6th Ed TCO on Jan. 1, 2025

    Days : Hours : Minutes : Seconds

    PASS IN 2024
    Scroll to Top