New to applied behavior analysis? These are the ABA terms every RBT should know, grouped the way they appear on the RBT Test Content Outline (3rd ed.), with plain-language definitions. Bookmark this cheat sheet for training, your competency assessment, and the RBT exam. For the full A–Z list, visit our ABA terms glossary.
Basic ABA Terms
| Term | Plain-language definition |
|---|---|
| Antecedent | What happens right before a behavior. |
| Behavior | Anything a person does that can be observed and measured. |
| Consequence | What happens right after a behavior, which affects whether it happens again. |
| Discriminative stimulus (SD) | A cue that signals reinforcement is available for a certain response. |
| Positive reinforcement | Adding something after a behavior that makes the behavior more likely to happen again. |
| Negative reinforcement | Removing something after a behavior that makes the behavior more likely to happen again. |
| Punishment | A consequence that makes a behavior less likely to happen again. |
| Motivating operation | Something that temporarily changes how valuable a reinforcer is, such as hunger or having just eaten. |
Data Collection and Graphing Terms
| Term | Plain-language definition |
|---|---|
| Continuous measurement | Recording every instance of a behavior (frequency, rate, duration, latency, IRT). |
| Frequency / rate | How many times a behavior happens / how many times per unit of time. |
| Duration | How long a behavior lasts. |
| Latency | Time between an instruction or cue and the start of the behavior. |
| Partial interval recording | Scoring an interval if the behavior happens at any point in it. |
| Whole interval recording | Scoring an interval only if the behavior lasts the entire interval. |
| Momentary time sampling | Recording whether the behavior is happening at the end of each interval. |
| Permanent product | Measuring the result a behavior leaves behind, such as completed worksheets. |
| Operational definition | A clear, observable, measurable description of a behavior. |
Assessment Terms
| Term | Plain-language definition |
|---|---|
| Preference assessment | A structured way to find items a learner likes, to use as possible reinforcers. |
| Functional behavior assessment (FBA) | A process for figuring out why a behavior happens. |
| ABC data | Recording the antecedent, behavior, and consequence of each incident. |
| Function of behavior | The reason a behavior happens: attention, escape, access to tangibles, or automatic (sensory) reinforcement. |
Skill Acquisition Terms
| Term | Plain-language definition |
|---|---|
| Discrete trial teaching (DTT) | Structured teaching with a clear instruction, response, and consequence for each trial. |
| Naturalistic teaching (NET) | Teaching during play and daily routines using the learner’s interests. |
| Task analysis | Breaking a complex skill into small, teachable steps. |
| Chaining | Teaching the steps of a task analysis in order (forward, backward, or total task). |
| Prompt / prompt fading | Extra help to get the correct response / gradually removing that help. |
| Shaping | Reinforcing closer and closer approximations of a target behavior. |
| Generalization | Using a skill across new people, places, and materials. |
| Token economy | Earning tokens for target behaviors and exchanging them for reinforcers. |
Behavior Reduction Terms
| Term | Plain-language definition |
|---|---|
| Extinction | No longer reinforcing a behavior that used to be reinforced. |
| Extinction burst | A temporary increase in behavior when extinction starts. |
| DRO | Reinforcing the absence of a problem behavior for a set time. |
| DRA | Reinforcing an appropriate alternative behavior. |
| Functional communication training (FCT) | Teaching a communication response that serves the same function as a problem behavior. |
| Antecedent intervention | Changing things before a behavior to prevent it, such as visual schedules or choices. |
Documentation and Ethics Terms
| Term | Plain-language definition |
|---|---|
| Objective session note | A note that describes only what was observed, without opinions. |
| Supervision | Ongoing oversight from a qualified BCBA or BCaBA, required for all RBT services. |
| Confidentiality | Protecting client information in conversations, notes, and online. |
| Multiple relationship | Having a second relationship with a client or family, such as friend or employer, which RBTs should avoid. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most important ABA terms for RBTs?
Start with reinforcement, punishment, antecedent, consequence, SD, operational definition, measurement methods, prompting, extinction, and differential reinforcement.
What are the four functions of behavior?
Attention, escape or avoidance, access to tangibles, and automatic (sensory) reinforcement.
What is the difference between positive and negative reinforcement?
Both increase behavior. Positive reinforcement adds something after the behavior; negative reinforcement removes something.
Where can I find a full glossary of ABA terms?
Our free ABA terms glossary lists definitions and examples for RBT and ABA terms from A to Z.
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