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 decisions. ABA has been used to address the behavioral needs of consumers in multiple areas, including general and special education, organizational behavior management, gerontology, and many more. ABA is the leading evidence-based treatment approach for ASD and other developmental disabilities (copyright © 2018, BACB®). 5th Edition Task ListA-4 Distinguish among behaviorism, the experimental analysis of behavior, applied behavior analysis, and professional practice guided by the science of behavior analysis. ©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 TCOA.4 Distinguish among behaviorism, the experimental analysis of behavior, applied behavior analysis, and professional practice guided by the science of behavior analysis. Related Content Professional practice guided by the science of behavior analysis A branch of behavior analysis that encompasses various fields of work (not necessarily BCBAs®/BCaBAs®) implementing ABA procedures within their professions.Experimental analysis of behavior (EAB) A branch of behavior analysis that deals with research on basic processes and principles and is mainly conducted in laboratories.Behaviorism A branch of behavior analysis that examines the philosophical, theoretical, historical, and methodological issues within the science of behavior.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 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.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 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,…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.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.The Pioneer of Methodological Behaviorism What are the historical origins of Methodological Behaviorism? Learn about observable behavior and John Broadus Watson's controversial "Little Albert Experiment." Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section A-4: Distinguish among behaviorism, the experimental analysis of behavior, applied behavior analysis, and professional practice guided by the science of behavior analysis.
