What is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)?
Applied Behavior Analysis, commonly referred to as ABA, is the scientific approach to improving socially significant behavior (determined by a social validity assessment) using the basic principles of behavior derived from the field of behavior analysis (Cooper, Heward, & Heron, 2007). In addition to applying the basic principles of behavior, experimentation and analysis is done to identify variables and factors involved in improving behavior. Changes to the environment and consequences are often altered to promote a positive behavior change. Observations and manipulations of variables typically center around the A-B-C's of Applied Behavior Analysis.
There are seven defining characteristics of applied behavior analysis (Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968; Baer, Wolf & Risley, 1987). Applied is used to indicate the dedication to improving socially significant behaviors to improve the client and caregivers' life. Behavioral refers to choosing a the specific behavior of interest, and choosing a behavior that is both measurable and observable. If you search the articles published within the field of behavior analysis, you will see that behavior is the main topic. Behavior analysts are interested in behavior and behavior change. Behaviors that can be observed and measured are used for the ease of analyzing and comparison. Analytic is used to describe applied behavior analysis becuase the experimenter seeks out to demonstrate a functional relation between the maniulated variables and the measurable change in behavior. The fourth defining feature of applied behavior analysis isTechnological stating the importance of idenifying and describing procedures in sufficient detail and clarity in order of others to replicate. In addition to describing procedures in clarity, it is also the researcher's job to state the specific basic principles used in the behavior change procedure as well as give an interpretation of how or why the procedures were effective; this is known as the dimension Conceptual Systems. Effective is the sixth dimension of ABA solely implying that the procedure used in behavior change reaches clinicial or socially significant changes. This is important because applied behavior analysis prides itself for engaging in evidence-based practices. The Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (JABA) and the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior (JAEB) are journals dedicated to publishing results of currently used procedures to ensure efficacy is being demonstrated. Lastly, Generality eludes to the idea that the specific behavior changed should last over time, acorss environments, and with different individuals. (Cooper, Heward, & Heron, 2007).
Applied Behavior Analysis applies behavioral principles to teach skills to children such as matching, imitation skills, requesting preferred items and activites, reducing self-injurious behavior, and increasing peer social skills. ABA is not only used to teach skills to children diagnosed with autism, although this is the main focus of this ABA manual. Other uses of ABA include, but are not limited to: animal training (Edwards & Poling, 2011), business management (Mawhinney, 1992) and addiction treatments (Foxx & Brown, 1979).
There are seven defining characteristics of applied behavior analysis (Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968; Baer, Wolf & Risley, 1987). Applied is used to indicate the dedication to improving socially significant behaviors to improve the client and caregivers' life. Behavioral refers to choosing a the specific behavior of interest, and choosing a behavior that is both measurable and observable. If you search the articles published within the field of behavior analysis, you will see that behavior is the main topic. Behavior analysts are interested in behavior and behavior change. Behaviors that can be observed and measured are used for the ease of analyzing and comparison. Analytic is used to describe applied behavior analysis becuase the experimenter seeks out to demonstrate a functional relation between the maniulated variables and the measurable change in behavior. The fourth defining feature of applied behavior analysis isTechnological stating the importance of idenifying and describing procedures in sufficient detail and clarity in order of others to replicate. In addition to describing procedures in clarity, it is also the researcher's job to state the specific basic principles used in the behavior change procedure as well as give an interpretation of how or why the procedures were effective; this is known as the dimension Conceptual Systems. Effective is the sixth dimension of ABA solely implying that the procedure used in behavior change reaches clinicial or socially significant changes. This is important because applied behavior analysis prides itself for engaging in evidence-based practices. The Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (JABA) and the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior (JAEB) are journals dedicated to publishing results of currently used procedures to ensure efficacy is being demonstrated. Lastly, Generality eludes to the idea that the specific behavior changed should last over time, acorss environments, and with different individuals. (Cooper, Heward, & Heron, 2007).
Applied Behavior Analysis applies behavioral principles to teach skills to children such as matching, imitation skills, requesting preferred items and activites, reducing self-injurious behavior, and increasing peer social skills. ABA is not only used to teach skills to children diagnosed with autism, although this is the main focus of this ABA manual. Other uses of ABA include, but are not limited to: animal training (Edwards & Poling, 2011), business management (Mawhinney, 1992) and addiction treatments (Foxx & Brown, 1979).