Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

Ormrod (2004) stated that Applied Behavior Analysis "is probably the most straightforward application of operant conditioning prinicples" (91). ABA uses a number of procedures to reinforce the selected acceptable behaviors. ABA uses multiple components of operant conditioning including:

  • reinforcement
  • extinction
  • shaping
  • stimulus control

Using ABA:

  1. Identify behaviors
    A. Identify target behavior (the behavior to be increased or decreased)
    B. What, exactly, is the desired behavior (terminal behavior)?
        a. How often should it occur?
        b. When should the behavior occur (discriminative stimulus)?
  2. Measurement of behaviors
    A. How often is the organism currently doing this behavior (baseline behavior)?
        a. If not at all, then think about shaping
    B. How will you measure?
        a. Frequency of behavior?
        b. Rate within an interval of time?
        c. Do you take one person's measurement as accurate (interrater reliablity)?
        d. Note: you will measure the same way, pre and post intervention.
  3. Determine potential intervening variables
    A. In observation of baseline, can you determine the possible pitfalls in the reinforcement plan?
  4. Develop a plan
    A. Determine appropriate reinforcers based on:
        a. Age
        b. Controllability
        c. Ethical guidelines
        d. Premack Principle
    B. Schedule of reinforcement
    C. Do you consult the organism (contingency contract)?
  5. Implementation
  6. Evaluate progress and revise as necessary
    A. Is the plan having the desired affect?
        a. If yes, do you maintain or phase out?
        b. If no, systematically change the program
            1. Try a different reinforcer
            2. Try a different procedure
            3. Combination of techniques
    B. Are behaviors being generalized? Do you want them to be generalized or discriminatory?

 

Applied behavior has been proven to modify behavior. Studies have been done that show that ABA can improve academic performance and study habits. Students who benefit most from ABA are those the need constant motivation fir appropriate behavior. It is often used with students with special needs including learning disabilities or behavioral problems.

 

Using ABA with Groups

Group Contingency

In a group contingency reinforcement cannot occur unless the entire group has met the desired behavior. Group contingencies can be found in other management theories including Whole Brain Teaching.

Token Economy

A token economy is the most prevalent group ABA technique. Individuals are rewarded with some form of tokens for good behvior which can later be traded in for a primary reinforcer. Teachers often use this by allowing the students to use their tokens to get a homework pass, small treat, or free time. Token economies are beneficial because they reward behviors immediately and offer choice of reinforcers. Token ecoomies have four main components:

  1. A set of rules: Rules describe what will be reinforced. There should be only a few rules so that they can be remembered.
  2. Token reinforcers: Tokens should be rewarded immediately. Some examples of tokens are poker chips, points, or stickers on a grid
  3. A variety of backup reinforcers: Tokens are exchanged for these backup reinforcers.
  4. A "store" at which the backup reinforcers can be "purchased" with tokens: Younger children should be allowed to purchase reinforcers once a day. For older children, a few times a week can be acceptable.

ABA process taken from lecture notes from a Human Thought and Learning class.