Code’s definition of legally authorized representative Any individual authorized under law to provide consent on behalf of an individual who cannot provide consent to receive services or participate in research. 5th Edition Task ListE-2.11 Obtaining Informed Consent ©Behavior Analyst Certification Board®. All rights reserved. Reprinted and/or displayed by permission granted in 2022. The most current versions of these documents are available at www.BACB.com. Contact the BACB® for permission to reprint and/or display this material. 6th Edition TCOF. Behavior Assessment Related Content Trial-based FA A variation of the functional analysis that uses a trial-based format to evaluate the occurrence and nonoccurrence of challenging behaviors given the presentation of an opportunity (trial) to emit the…Stimulus preference assessment A collection of assessment activities used to identify preferred stimuli that are likely to function as reinforcers.Tandem schedules of reinforcement A compound schedule of reinforcement in which two or more un-signaled (No SD) basic schedules of reinforcement are in effect and must be met successively for the response to contact…Tangible function When the source of reinforcement for a behavior is access to specific socially mediated tangible items.Synthesized FA A variation of the functional analysis that uses an Interview Informed Synthesized Contingency Analysis (IISCA) to hypothesize the contingencies that may maintain challenging behavior and then testing those hypothesized contingencies.Tangible condition A test condition in a functional analysis that assesses for the socially mediated positive reinforcement (access to tangibles) function. In this condition, the assessor presents the client access to individualized…Standardized tests An assessment instrument with empirically established validity and reliability that compares a client’s results to the normative levels of the population for whom the specific test was designed.Single stimulus preference assessment A stimulus preference assessment in which the client is presented with one stimulus at a time; and the client’s response to each individual stimulus is recorded.Scatterplot recording A direct and descriptive measurement and assessment method that uses interval data to display behavior patterns during specific periods and used to assess the times and/or activities during which challenging…Reinforcer assessment A collection of assessment activities that test preferred stimuli to determine their effectiveness as reinforcers for specific target behaviors by measuring increases in target behaviors contingent on the immediate presentation…Relevance of behavior rule A rule that the behavior change prioritized for treatment must be meaningful for the client and relevant individuals in the client’s life.Rating scales An indirect assessment method in which individuals knowledgeable about the occurrence of the behavior of interest and the relevant environmental variables, answer questions by making selections from a closed set…Progressive-ratio schedule reinforcer assessment A reinforcer assessment that identifies the relative effectiveness of a potential reinforcer when response requirements are progressively increased until a breaking point is reached (i.e., responding decreases or stops).Prerequisite behavior The necessary components skills of any behavior needed to perform a specific behavior.Precursor FA A variation of the functional analysis that analyzes the precursors to challenging behavior (i.e., responses that reliably occur close in time before the challenging behavior). Each trial is terminated as…Pivotal behavior Trained behaviors that, when acquired, can result in or lead to the acquisition of new, untrained behaviors.Paired stimuli preference assessment A stimulus preference assessment in which the client is asked to choose between sets of two stimuli that are presented simultaneously. The client’s choices and how often each item is…Normalization/Mainstreaming The belief that individuals with disabilities should be physically and socially integrated into mainstream society, environments, and procedures to the maximum extent possible. The expectations should be more aligned with…Multiple schedule reinforcer assessment A reinforcer assessment that identifies the most effective contingency for reinforcement when two or more component schedules of reinforcement (FI, FR, VI, VR) are available for one behavior, with only…Multiple stimuli preference assessment A stimulus preference assessment in which the client is presented with three or more stimuli at the same time, and the client’s choices are recorded.Multiple stimuli with replacement preference assessment (MSWI) A stimulus preference assessment in which the client is presented with three or more stimuli at the same time, and the client’s choices are recorded. The chosen stimulus remains in…Multiple stimuli without replacement preference assessment (MSWO) A stimulus preference assessment in which the client is presented with three or more stimuli at the same time, and the client’s choices are recorded. The chosen stimulus is removed…Naturalistic free operant stimulus preference assessment A stimulus preference assessment conducted in a client’s everyday environment, during which the client is given noncontingent access to all of the stimuli in their natural environment while an assessor…Natural settings FA A variation of the functional analysis conducted in natural settings to explore the relevant stimuli present in natural settings that can impact challenging behavior.In-the-moment reinforcer analysis A reinforcer assessment used to make an in-the-moment determination about potential reinforcers by examining a client’s affect/emotional response (e.g. laughing, smiling, neutral face, frowning, crying, etc.) and noting if there…Latency-based FA A variation of the functional analysis that measures the time between the presence of an EO to the onset of the challenging behavior. Each trial is terminated as soon as…Indirect FBA Functional behavior assessment activities that aim to identify the events in the natural setting that correlate with the behavior of interest by collecting information from individuals who know the individual…Habilitation Providing treatment to promote the development of an adaptive repertoire with behaviors that are maximized by short- and long-term reinforcers and minimized by short- and long-term punishers.Functional behavior assessment (FBA) The methods and activities used by behavior analysts to gather information about the function of problem behavior, the results of which are used to guide goal setting and interventions for…Functions of behavior The four main sources of reinforcement for any wanted or unwanted behavior.Functional analysis (FA) A functional assessment activity during which the antecedents and consequences in the client’s natural environment are arranged and systematically manipulated so that their individual effects on challenging behavior can be…FA alone condition (aka: No interaction) A test condition in a functional analysis that assesses for the automatic reinforcement function. In this condition, the client is placed alone in a room, or if there is an…FA contingent attention condition A test condition in a functional analysis that assesses for a socially mediated positive reinforcement function. In this condition the client is initially deprived of attention and attention is delivered…FA contingent escape condition A test condition in a functional analysis that assesses for the socially mediated negative reinforcement (escape) function. In this condition, a non-preferred demand is presented and removed for a predetermined…FA control condition The non-test condition of a functional analysis, against which behavior in the test conditions is compared. In this condition, free time and leisure materials are freely available to the client…Escape function When the source of reinforcement for a behavior is escaping a socially mediated stimulus that is aversive to the individual.Ecological assessment A direct functional behavior assessment procedure that looks at the complex environmental relationships of every element of an individual’s life to assess physiological, social, and home-based conditions and an individual’s…Discrepancy analysis A comparison of an individual’s behavior to same-age, typically developing peers to determine if a challenging behavior is at problematic levels or appropriate for that age or context. Hint: Not…Eliminative approach An approach to behavior analytic treatment that eliminates challenging behaviors without building replacement skills in their place.Direct FBA Functional behavior assessment activities that directly interact and measure events in the natural setting that correlate with the behavior of interest.Descriptive FBA A direct assessment, requiring direct observation of a behavior in naturally occurring conditions, to identify the environmental events associated with the behavior in order to hypothesize a function.Cultural identity The occurrence of specific stimuli and response classes, related to things like race, socioeconomic class, age, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, nationality, and geographic context, that a person identifies with…Criterion-referenced assessment (CRA) An assessment that measures performance against a set of predetermined developmental tasks and commonly accepted criteria for specific developmental levels, measuring the presence, absence, or emergence of developmentally appropriate tasks.Curriculum-based assessment (CBA) An assessment of performance levels on specific tasks or lessons (e.g., motor, language, cognition, self-help or academic skills) often used by teachers in educational settings.Contrived free operant stimulus preference assessment A stimulus preference assessment in which a client’s environment is filled with a variety of potentially preferred stimuli. The client is then given noncontingent access to all of the stimuli…Concurrent schedule reinforcer assessment A reinforcer assessment that identifies the contingency that is most effective as a reinforcer (i.e., which produces the most responding) when two or more contingencies operate on two or more…Conditional probability A formula that generates information from ABC recording to assess the statistical possibility that a target behavior will occur under specific antecedent and/or consequence conditions.Constructional approach An approach to behavioral treatment that includes building replacement behaviors when the behavior intervention aims to eliminate challenging behavior.Component behaviors The building block skills needed for the development of a more complex skill.Code’s definition of stakeholder An individual, other than the client, who is impacted by and invested in the behavior analyst’s services (e.g., parent, caregiver, relative, legally authorized representative, collaborator, employer, agency or institutional representatives,…Behavior checklist An indirect assessment method administered using checklists to gather descriptions of the referral behavior and the relevant antecedents and consequences, as well as information about the frequency, duration, or intensity…Behavioral interview An indirect assessment method used to identify potential target behaviors and the client’s and relevant individual’s primary concerns by asking about the client’s home environment,family dynamics, social history, community involvement,…Breaking point When during a progressive-ratio schedule reinforcer assessment, responding decreases or stops due to response requirements exceeding the relative effectiveness of the reinforcement schedule.Brief FA A variation of the functional analysis conducted over a shorter period of time by decreasing the duration of each analyzed condition.Behavior cusp Behaviors that, when acquired, result in the individual accessing new environments and, therefore, new stimulus controls and contingencies (i.e., reinforcement).Asking stimulus preference assessment A stimulus preference assessment in which an assessor asks the client or relevant individuals about the client’s specific preferences or offers the client a pre-task choice from items identified as…Attention function When the source of reinforcement for a behavior is access to socially mediated attention.Automatic reinforcement function When the source of reinforcement for a behavior is self-mediated access to specific reinforcement or escape from aversive stimuli.ABC continuous recording A direct and descriptive measurement and assessment procedure in which instances of a naturally occurring target behavior and the specific environmental events (antecedents and consequences) accompanying the behavior are recorded.…ABC narrative recording A direct and descriptive measurement, and assessment procedure in which instances of a naturally occurring target behavior and the specific environmental events (antecedents and consequences) accompanying the behavior are recorded.…Dana Do's: Six Direct Assessment Methods Looking to review direct assessment methods? PTB founder Dana Meller gets right to it with this quick explainer.Dana Do's: Exploring the Four Types of Reinforcer Assessments PTB founder Dana Meller discusses reinforcer assessments, which should not be confused with stimulus preference assessments.Dana Do's: Nine Considerations for Prioritizing Target Behaviors PTB founder breaks down each of the nine considerations for prioritizing target behaviors.Dana Do's: All the Validities in ABA, Explained PTB founder Dana Meller helps connect each of the validities to the validity of this explanation.Dana Do's: Will Reinforcer Assessments be on the BCBA® Exam? The Task List and the TCO (Test Content Outline) both include preference assessments. But, they don't mention reinforcer assessments. Does that mean that reinforcer assessments will not be on the exam? Code’s definition of website A digital platform found through a web browser where an entity (individual and/or organization) produces and distributes digital content for the consumption of users online. Depending on the functionality, users…Code’s definition of behavior analyst An individual who holds BCBA® or BCaBA® certification or who has submitted a complete application for BCBA® or BCaBA® certification.Code’s definition of behavior-change intervention The full set of behavioral procedures designed to improve the client’s wellbeing.Code’s definition of behavioral services Services that are explicitly based on the principles and procedures of behavior analysis and are designed to change behavior in meaningful ways. These services include, but are not limited to,…Code’s definition of client The direct recipient of the behavior analyst’s services. At various times during service provision, one or more stakeholders may simultaneously meet the definition of client (e.g., the point at which…Code’s definition of clients’ rights Human rights, legal rights, rights codified within behavior analysis, and organization rules designed to benefit the client.Code’s definition of conflict of interest An incompatibility between a behavior analysts’ private and professional interests resulting in risk or potential risk to services provided to, or the professional relationship with, a client, stakeholder, supervisee, trainee,…Code’s definition of digital content Information that is made available for online consumption, downloading, and/or distribution through an electronic medium (e.g., television, radio, eBook, website, social media, videogame, application, computer, smart device). Common digital content…Code’s definition of informed consent (service/research) The permission given by an individual with the legal right to consent before participating in services or research, or allowing their information to be used or shared. Providing the opportunity…Code’s definition of multiple relationship A comingling of two or more of a behavior analyst’s roles (e.g., behavioral and personal) with a client, stakeholder, supervisee, trainee, research participant, or someone closely associated with or related…Code’s definition of public statements Delivery of information (digital or otherwise) in a public forum for the purpose of either better informing that audience or providing a call-to-action. This includes paid or unpaid advertising, brochures,…Code’s definition of informed consent (information use/sharing) Information Use/Sharing: Providing the opportunity for an individual to give informed consent to share or use their information involves communicating about: 1) the purpose and intended use; 2) the audience;…Code’s definition of research Any data-based activity, including analysis of preexisting data, designed to generate generalizable knowledge for the discipline. The use of an experimental design does not by itself constitute research.Code’s definition of research participant Any individual participating in a defined research study for whom informed consent has been obtained.Code’s definition of research review committee A group of professionals whose stated purpose is to review research proposals to ensure the ethical treatment of human research participants. This committee might be an official entity of a…Code’s definition of scope of competence The professional activities a behavior analyst can consistently perform with proficiency.Code’s definition of social media channels A digital platform, either found through a web browser or through an application, where users (individuals and/or businesses) can consume, create, copy, download, share, or comment on posts or advertisements.…Code’s definition of supervisee Any individual whose behavioral service delivery is overseen by a behavior analyst within the context of a defined, agreed- upon relationship. Supervisees may include RBT®s, BCaBA®s, and BCBA®s, as well…Code’s definition of testimonial Any solicited or unsolicited recommendation, in any form, from a client, stakeholder, supervisee, or trainee affirming the benefits received from a behavior analyst’s product or service. From the point at…Code’s definition of third-party Any individual, group of individuals, or entity, other than the direct recipient of services, the primary caregiver, the legally authorized representative, or the behavior analyst, who requests and funds services…Code’s definition of trainee Any individual accruing fieldwork/experience toward fulfilling eligibility requirements for BCaBA® or BCBA® certification.BACB®’s definition of applied behavior analysis (ABA) A science based on the use of learning principles to improve socially important behavior. ABA practice focuses on assessing the environmental influences on behavior, implementing assessment-based interventions, and making data-based…Get the Scoop: What You Need to Know About the BACB’s Transition to the 6th Edition You may have heard horror stories about the last BACB transition from the 4th to the 5th edition Task List. Not without good reason, too. The 5th edition brought changes to the supervision requirements, an increase to the number of test questions, and the introduction of the Ethics Code. Luckily, this time around won’t be such a shake up. Candidates caught on the cusp of this transition will be relieved to know that most of the updates are minor. Many find these transitions intimidating and overwhelming because they think they’ll have to learn an entire list of new information. Thankfully, that’s not the case. Think of it as more of a restructuring, rather than a total revamp.Assent The agreement of participation by a client who is unable to give legal consent for their own participation.Dana Do's: Cracking the Ethics Code on Consent vs. Assent The ethics code asks behavior analysts to obtain informed consent before starting a treatment plan. But…what does that entail? PTB co-founder Dana Meller breaks down informed consent, assent, and the ethics elements you need to know. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Code Section E- 2.11 Obtaining Informed Consent
