Duration - 40 Hour RBT® Online Training

Duration

Duration refers to the length of time that a behavior occurs, from the moment the behavior starts to the moment it stops. In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), collecting duration data involves measuring how long a specific behavior lasts during an observation period. This type of data is particularly useful for behaviors that vary in length and intensity, such as staying on-task, tantrums, or repetitive movements.

Example

A behavior analyst is observing a student named Emily who has difficulty staying seated during class. To measure the duration of Emily’s time seated, the analyst starts a stopwatch when Emily sits down and stops the stopwatch when she gets up from her seat. If Emily stays seated for 12 minutes, the analyst records that duration. By consistently tracking the duration of this behavior over time, the analyst can assess whether interventions aimed at increasing Emily’s on-task behavior are effective.

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