Self-management Behavior analytic procedures that target one’s own behavior by defining the desired target response (controlled response), programming behaviors to help evoke that desired target response (controlling response), and arranging reinforcers that are available contingent on meeting the desired target response. Examples: Using to do lists, setting reminders, keeping a spending record, talking yourself through certain tasks. 5th Edition Task ListG-20 Use self-management strategies. 6th Edition TCOG. Behavior-Change Procedures Related Content Dana Do's: Clearing Up the Confusion Over Shaping and Chaining Shaping and chaining are strategies for teaching complex behaviors that are often confused. PTB founder Dana Meller makes the differences clear. Dana Do's: Fun Fact About Using DRA You know how the textbooks say that there are two parts to differential reinforcement, one being reinforcement for the desired behavior and the other extinction for the target behavior? Applying…Variable time A time-based schedule of noncontingent reinforcement delivery. It sets an average amount of time between the delivery of noncontingent reinforcers.Within stimulus prompt A stimulus prompt that helps a learner make a correct discrimination by manipulating a specific physical characteristic of the target stimulus.Withdrawal of a specific positive reinforcer A non-exclusionary time-out procedure where, contingent on challenging behavior, a preferred item is taken away for a certain period of time.Token economy A positive reinforcement procedure in which clients are given tokens (GCSRs) for specific desired behaviors, and the tokens can be exchanged for specific preferred items/activities (backup reinforcers).Time delay prompting A prompting procedure in which the transfer of stimulus control from the prompt to the SD is implemented by delaying the presentation of the prompt following the presentation of the…Total-task chaining A variation of the forward chaining method in which every step of a task analysis is taught in each session. The individual is assisted on any steps that they are…Train loosely A method to program for generalization during instruction that involves broadening the variety of the non-critical aspects of the SD, like the environmental variables (people, locations) that have nothing to…Time-out from positive reinforcement A punishment procedure where access to specific reinforcers is prohibited for a period of time following an occurrence of challenging behavior.Time out ribbon A non-exclusionary time-out procedure in which reinforcement is paired with a ribbon on a child’s wrist to signal the availability of reinforcement. The removal of the ribbon, contingent on challenging…Transitivity Defined as the trained relation of symbolically similar items across two sets of stimuli (i.e., If A=B, and B=C), and without further instruction, the emergence of an untrained connection (i.e.,…Stimulus prompt A type of prompt that increases the salience of the SD and calls an individual’s attention to the stimulus that directs behavior, which is gradually faded out until the correct…Stimulus fading A method of fading stimulus prompts by systematically and gradually lessening or removing them until control of an individual’s behavior transfers to the SD.Stimulus shape transformations A method of fading stimulus prompts by starting with a stimulus that controls the desired response and systematically and gradually changing the shape of that stimulus into the SD that…Successive approximations The gradual and progressive changes in criteria during a shaping procedure, with each change being closer in form to the desired terminal response.Task analysis A breakdown of a complex behavior into small, teachable units that establish a behavior chain (series of steps and tasks presented in a specific order) that must occur in a…Symmetry Defined as the trained relation of symbolically similar items and the demonstration of the relation in reverse without additional direct training. (i.e., If A=B, then B=A)Stimulus equivalence Defined as the untrained acquisition of a reflexive, symmetric, and transitive relation between stimuli that are in some way related.Symbolic matching-to-sample A matching-to-sample procedure where clients are taught to match sample and comparison stimuli that are symbolically related, and not physically identical.Simple discriminations Correct responding that requires discriminating one antecedent stimulus condition (SD) in which the response will produce reinforcement.Shaping A strategy for teaching novel behaviors using successive approximations to a terminal response, which are differentially reinforced until the client is able to differentiate the terminal response from the successive…Shaping across response topographies A shaping method in which each successive approximation varies in form from the other approximations and the ultimate terminal response.Shaping within response topographies A shaping method in which the response form of each successive approximation remains the same, but some other measurable dimension is being trained.Self-monitoring In self-management procedures, this is the process of systematically recording data on one’s own behavior.Self-evaluation In self-management procedures, this is the process of assessing one’s own progress by comparing self-monitoring data to a pre-determined criterion.Self-administered consequences A self-management procedure in which one organizes specific consequences to be delivered following the occurrence or nonoccurrence of one’s own behavior to be delivered by others or by oneself.Self-instruction A self-management procedure that involves providing oneself with verbal instructions (covert or overt) to prompt one’s own desired behaviors.Self-directed systematic desensitization A self-management procedure used to reduce anxieties and phobias that involves substituting muscle relaxation for challenging behaviors. Anxiety or fear-provoking events are ranked on an intensity scale and gradually exposed…Seclusion time-out A type of time-out procedure in which the client is placed in a time-out room for a time period and locked in.Response-deprivation hypothesis (RDH) The belief that any behavior can act as a reinforcer if access to that behavior is restricted. In practice, this occurs when deprivation of a certain activity, achieved by making it…Response-deprivation hypothesis (RDH) The belief that a low-probability behavior can act as a reinforcer to evoke a higher-probability behavior if access to the less-preferred behavior is restricted below baseline levels.Response prompts A temporary antecedent stimulus in the form of verbal instruction, a model, or physical support that is delivered close in time with the relevant SD to help the client engage…Response differentiation The emergence of the target novel behavior produced by differential reinforcement, during a shaping procedure, in which the reinforced members of the desired response class occur more often and the…Self-management (in programming for generalization) A method to program for generalization that involves teaching the client self-management behaviors that will enable them to prompt and reinforce their own target behavior.Response interruption and redirection (RIRD) A positive punishment procedure that involves presenting demands, prompts, or distractions to interrupt and redirect repetitive, stereotypic, and self-injurious behaviors.Restitutional overcorrection A positive punishment overcorrection procedure where, following the occurrence of a challenging behavior, the client is required to repair the damage caused by their behavior,and engage in additional behavior to…Redundancy prompt A stimulus prompt that helps a learner make a correct discrimination by pairing the correct choice with one or more stimulus or response dimensions (e.g., color, size, shape).Response block Physically intervening to interrupt and prevent a response from occurring. Hint: When the behavior is prevented from occurring by the addition of the thing that “blocks” it, it cannot occur…Response cost A loss of a specific amount of reinforcement that is contingent on a challenging behavior.Reprimand A positive punishment procedure that involves providing vocal negative or corrective feedback following the occurrence of an undesirable behavior.Reflexivity Refers to the trained response of matching a stimulus to an identical stimulus and then matching the two stimuli in reverse without additional training. (i.e., If A=A, then A=A)Relational frame theory (RFT) A behavior analytic approach to language which aims to connect and understand the relationship between language and derived stimulus relations. The theory hypothesizes that learned behavior is acquired through a…Premack Principle A strategy that uses behavior as reinforcement by making the opportunity to engage in preferred behavior contingent on engaging in a low-preference behavior.Random rotation A procedure in discrete-trial teaching during which random mastered targets are presented in a randomized order.Program common stimuli A method to program for generalization during instruction that ensures the SDs used in the instructional setting are similar or the same as those used in the generalization setting/natural environment.Ratio strain When challenging behaviors reemerge because of an abruptly thinned reinforcement schedule.Pivotal response training A free-operant teaching methodology that capitalizes on naturally occurring MOs and environmental variables with a specific focus on building skills that produce collateral improvements in other skill areas.Planned ignoring A non-exclusionary time-out procedure where social reinforcers (e.g., attention, engagement in activities) are removed for a period of time contingent on challenging behavior.Positive practice overcorrection A positive punishment overcorrection procedure where, following the occurrence of a challenging behavior, the client is required to repeatedly perform the correct form of the behavior for a certain period…Overcorrection A positive punishment procedure where, contingent on an occurrence of the target behavior, the client is required to engage in an effortful behavior that is directly related to the target…Oddity matching-to-sample A matching-to-sample procedure where clients are taught to match sample and comparison stimuli that are not similar to the sample stimulus (i.e., opposites).Naturally existing contingency A natural consequence (reinforcement or punishment) that follows a behavior without any environmental manipulation by a practitioner.Noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) A contingency independent antecedent intervention during which reinforcers that maintain challenging behavior are delivered on a fixed or variable schedule, thereby abolishing (AO) the motivation for the client to engage…Naturalistic teaching A teaching methodology that involves embedding learning opportunities into ongoing, every day activities by capitalizing on the EOs in natural contexts and choice-making, focusing on client interest and initiations.Multiple exemplar training A method to program for generalization during instruction that involves teaching a variety of response and stimulus options to facilitate the acquisition of untrained responses in the presence of novel…Negative teaching examples A method to program for generalization during instruction that involves teaching the client to generalize and discriminate the settings, times, and conditions in which it is not appropriate to display…Non-exclusionary time out A type of time-out procedure in which the client is kept in the time-in space but is not allowed to participate in time-in activities.Massed practice A self-management procedure that aims to decrease challenging behavior by having an individual engage in the repeated performance of the challenging behavior. Most-to-least prompting A method of prompt fading determined by an individual’s progress that proceeds from the most intrusive/supportive to the least intrusive/supportive as the individual is successful, with the final goal of…Modeling A strategy for teaching new skills by using a live or symbolic model to demonstrate an exact behavior needed to perform a skill and teaching the client to imitate the…Mass trial A procedure in discrete-trial teaching during which the same learning trial (SD) for an acquisition skill is presented several times in a row.Mediation A method to program for generalization during instruction that involves teaching the individuals present in a client’s life (parents, employers) to help maintain and generalize new skills outside of treatment…Response maintenance The extent to which behavior remains in a client’s repertoire over time.Matching-to-sample A conditional discrimination procedure in which a stimulus is presented and taught to match a secondary stimulus. Reinforcement is delivered for correctly matching the two antecedent stimuli. Matches can include…Least-to-most prompting A method of prompt fading for individuals who exhibit the skills necessary to complete the task but are not engaging in the correct response. This method typically starts with the least…Instructions and rules A specific methodology for teaching that includes best practice for setting specific rules, and methods for providing instructions for expected behavior.Inter-trial interval In discrete-trial teaching, this is the period (approximately 5 seconds) that comes between the consequence and the next SD, indicating the end of one trial and the forthcoming trial.Interdependent group contingencies A procedure in which a pre-determined criterion for responding is established for all of the members within a group. For everyone to contact reinforcement, each individual in the group must…Habit reversal A self-management procedure that involves identifying events that precede one’s own challenging behavior and engaging in alternative behaviors when those precursor events occur.High-probability instructional sequence An antecedent intervention used for increasing compliance and reducing escape-maintained behaviors. It involves presenting two-to-five high-probability compliance tasks, reinforcing compliance for those tasks, and then presenting a demand less likely…Graduated guidance A type of response prompt that offers the minimal amount of physical prompting needed to occasion a correct response by having a trainer in a position to prompt immediately (if…Incidental teaching A free-operant teaching methodology that takes place in a free-time setting, during which the child’s natural initiations are treated as learning opportunities to expand on the child’s current skill set.Group contingencies Procedures in which a pre-determined criterion for responding is established for one, some, or all of the members within a group in order for some or all of the group…Independent group contingencies A procedure in which a pre-determined criterion for responding is established for all members of a group, and for an individual to contact reinforcement, that individual must meet the specific…Indiscriminable contingencies A method to program for generalization during instruction that includes the use of intermittent and delayed reinforcement contingencies that parallel natural contingencies.Identity matching-to-sample A matching-to-sample procedure where clients are taught to match sample and comparison stimuli that are physically identical.Functional communication training (FCT) A differential reinforcement procedure that trains an alternative communication response to replace a functionally-equivalent challenging behavior.Forward chaining A chaining method that involves teaching the behavior chain one step at a time, in its naturally occurring order, starting with the first step. The process involves moving on to…Free-operant teaching A teaching methodology in which the SD is part of the natural environment, and responding doesn’t depend on a directive, prompt, or SD presented by a trainer. Appropriate behaviors are…Free-operant behavior A response class that is free to occur and can occur at any time because it is not bound by the control of SDs or prompts.General case analysis A method to program for generalization during instruction that involves teaching the client all the different stimulus variations of a particular SD and the subsequent response variations for those stimuli.Fixed time A time-based schedule of noncontingent reinforcement delivery. It sets a fixed amount of time between the delivery of noncontingent reinforcers.Errorless learning techniques A method for teaching new skills in a way that prevents or minimizes client errors (e.g., prompting, prompt fading, decreasing response effort, etc.) to ensure that the client emits the…Expanded trial A procedure in discrete-trial teaching during which mastered targets are presented as distractors alongside currently targeted SDs.Exclusionary time-out A type of time-out procedure in which the client is removed from the reinforcing (time-in) setting.Existing cache response cost A type of response cost procedure in which challenging behavior results in the removal of previously earned reinforcers.Equivalence-based instruction (EBI) An instructional method based on stimulus equivalence. It maximizes the effectiveness of teaching because a client is directly taught certain targets in such a way that they are able to…Equivalence class A collection of stimuli identified through stimulus equivalence to evoke the same response.Discrimination training A procedure that teaches correct responding by reinforcing responses in the presence of one stimulus condition (the SD), but not in the presence of the other (S∆ ).Discrete-trial teaching (DTT) A structured, table-top, 5-component ABA procedure during which specific skills are broken down into small teachable units and taught to a pre-determined mastery criteria.Differential reinforcement Procedures used to eliminate, reduce, and increase behaviors that involve providing reinforcement for one response class and withholding reinforcement for the occurrence of challenging behavior above or below a pre-determined…Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) A differential reinforcement procedure used to eliminate challenging behaviors. It involves withholding reinforcement for the occurrence of the challenging behavior and providing reinforcement for a specific functionally equivalent alternative behavior.Differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior (DRI) A variation of the differential reinforcement of alternative behavior procedures used to eliminate challenging behaviors. It involves withholding reinforcement for the occurrence of the challenging behavior and providing reinforcement for…Differential negative reinforcement of incompatible or alternative behavior (DNRI & DNRA) A differential reinforcement procedure used to reduce or eliminate challenging behavior that involves withholding negative reinforcement for the occurrence of the challenging behavior and providing negative reinforcement for a functionally…Differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) A differential reinforcement procedure in which reinforcement is delivered contingent on the absence/omission of the challenging behavior during a specific time period or moment in time.Differential reinforcement of low rates of responding (DRL) A differential reinforcement procedure that is a variation of basic intermittent schedules of reinforcement. Reinforcement is delivered when an individual engages in a behavior at/or below a pre-established rate during…Differential reinforcement of high rates of responding (DRH) A differential reinforcement procedure that is a variation of basic intermittent schedules of reinforcement. Reinforcement is delivered when an individual engages in a behavior at/or above a pre-established rate during…Differential reinforcement of diminishing rates of responding (DRD) A procedure in which reinforcement is delivered at the end of an interval if the target behavior occurs at a lower than preestablished rate criterion. The rate criteria is gradually…Dependent group contingencies A procedure in which a pre-determined criterion for responding is established for one or a small group of people within a larger group, and for everyone in the larger group…Derived stimulus relations A product of equivalence-based instruction (EBI), wherein responding is defined by forming a relation between two or more stimuli that is not directly trained and not based on the physical…Controlling response In self-management procedures, these are the behaviors that help evoke the desired target behavior.Controlled response In self-management procedures, this is the desired target behavior produced by the self-management procedure.Contrived contingency A reinforcer or punisher that is delivered by a practitioner to evoke changes in behavior or the acquisition of skills.Contingent exercise A positive punishment procedure where a client is required to engage in a physical exercise following the occurrence of a challenging behavior.Contingent observation A non-exclusionary time-out procedure where, contingent on challenging behavior, the client is removed from the instructional setting to another part of the same room to observe the time-in setting while…Contingency dependent intervention Any antecedent intervention that manipulates the availability of reinforcement in the presence of a specific SD and offers differential consequences for correct or new/alternative behaviors versus challenging behaviors.Contingency independent intervention Any antecedent intervention that manipulates motivating operations and changes antecedent events to create an evocative or abative effect on behavior.Conditional discriminations Correct responding that requires discriminating an antecedent stimulus condition (SD) that is conditional on the presence of another antecedent stimulus condition for the response to produce reinforcement.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…Behavior chain A specific sequence of discrete responses/behaviors that, when linked together, form a terminal behavior. Each discrete response/behavior is associated with a particular stimulus condition (SD), and each response and the…Behavior chain with a limited hold Any behavior chain with the requirement of not only being performed correctly and in order, but also within a specified period of time.Chaining A specific collection of methods that are used to connect a specific sequence of stimuli and responses to form new behaviors.Block trial A procedure in discrete-trial teaching during which different learning trials (SDs) are presented in blocks, which are gradually reduced in size contingent upon correct responding until the stimuli are presented…Behavior trap A method to program for generalization and maintenance during instruction that involves bringing a target behavior under the control of natural reinforcers by exposing the behavior to those reinforcers.Bonus response cost A type of response cost procedure in which additional non-contingent reinforcers are made available and are removed if the challenging behavior occurs.Antecedent-based self-management procedures A variety of procedures used in self-management that manipulate antecedents to increase or decrease one’s own target behaviors.Backup reinforcer Specific preferred items or activities that can be exchanged for the earned tokens delivered in a token economy system.Antecedent intervention Interventions that are implemented prior to and are not contingent on behavior.Backward chaining A chaining method in which an instructor initially completes the chain in its naturally occurring order, and then the individual is taught one step at a time, starting from the…Backward chaining with leap aheads A variation of the backward chain in which any step in the task analysis that is already in the individual’s repertoire is not formally trained.Dana Do's: Considerations for Exam Questions Related to the Use of Punishment Punishment is known to have a quick impact on behavior, but there are ethical implications which makes it very controversial. PTB founder Dana Meller offers some considerations when encountering exam questions related to punishment.Dana Do's: 8 Guidelines for Using Modeling Get ready to model as PTB founder Dana Meller walks you through the eight specific guidelines for using modeling.Dana Do's: Can Changing Criterion Design be Used to Evaluate Shaping Programs? Can can a changing criterion design be used to evaluate shaping programs? Well, PTB founder Dana Meller says, it depends. Dana Do's: What is the Difference Between Trial-Based and Free-Operant Teaching Arrangements? Not too sure about discriminating between the different teaching arrangements? Not to worry. PTB founder Dana Meller is here to explain trial-based vs free operant procedures.Dana Do's: What's the Difference Between Response vs. Stimulus Prompts? If a response prompt and a stimulus prompt both prompt correct responses, what is the difference?Dana Do's: What's the Difference Between DRL and DRD? Depending on the source, you can get some conflicting information about DRL vs DRD. PTB co-founder Dana Meller clears up the confusion with a more current look at these two reinforcement procedures. Dana Do's: Chain Chain Chain, Chain, Chain... Which chaining method goes with which behavior? Dana Meller offers some considerations that may help you answer that question on the exam. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section Section G-8: Use chaining. Dana Do's: If All Prompts Prompt Behavior, What's the Difference? If all prompts prompt behavior, how can you tell the different between stimulus and response prompts? PTB co-founder Dana Meller simplifies it with one word. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section G-4: Use stimulus and response prompts and fading (e.g., errorless, most-to-least, least-to-most, prompt delay, stimulus fading).Dana Do's: Which Group Contingency Do I Use? PTB co-founder Dana Meller distills the three different interventions, related by the group. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section G-18: Use group contingencies.Dana Do's: Relating, Framing and Equating Relating, framing and equating. PTB co-founder Dana Meller drills into the generalizability of relational frame theory, equivalence-based instruction, and stimulus equivalence. Would you believe they all go together? Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Sections B-15: Define and provide examples of derived stimulus relations; G-21: Use procedures to promote stimulus and response generalization; G-12: Use equivalence-based instruction. Dana Do's: What Chaining Method to Use When? The books don't really say much about what chaining methods BCBA's should apply to what behaviors. PTB co-founder Dana Meller breaks it down. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section G-8: Use chaining.Dana Do's: How to Get Unstuck When Studying for the BCBA® PTB co-founder Dana Meller explains how to use Multiple Exemplar training to improve your exam application skills. BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section: G-21 Use procedures to promote stimulus and response generalization.Dana Do's: Response Blocking vs. Extinction Want an easy way to make the correct discrimination between response blocking and extinction? PTB co-founder Dana Meller borrows from the #starwars universe to help explain. BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section: G-16 Use positive and negative punishment (e.g., time-out, response cost, overcorrection).Dana Do's: Need a Prompt to Understand Prompting? PTB co-founder Dana Meller shares a trick for discriminating between response and stimulus prompts. BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section G-4: Use stimulus and response prompts and fading (e.g., errorless, most-to-least, least-to-most, prompt delay, stimulus fading)Dana Do's: 1-Minute Experimental Design Test Hack (you still have to study it though) PTB co-founder Dana Meller shares a huge secret to help break down experimental design questions. BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section D-3: Identify the defining features of single-subject experimental designs.Dana Do's: Fun Fact. The Process of Self-Management Requires Two Behaviors Self-management: one process, two behaviors. PTB co-founder Dana Meller explains controlled vs controlling response, and shares real-life examples of how they are used together in self-management strategies. Self Evaluate Your Understanding of ABA Terminology ➠ Self Management Explore the world of self-management with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she discusses how controlled responses and self-controlling behaviors lead to improved behavior. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section G-20: Use self-management strategies.Awaken Your Inner Boss: Self Management for Behavior Change Champions Sharpen your understanding of self-management with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she highlights the two crucial behaviors involved in self-management. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section G-20: Use self-management strategies.
