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Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development pp 139–140Cite as

Applied Behavioral Assessment

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Synonyms

Applied behavior analysis (ABA); Operant learning and applied behavior analysis (ABA)

Definition

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the branch of psychology that is devoted to understanding and improving socially important human behavior ([1], p. 63). Furthermore, it involves the scientific study of behavior through the use of techniques underlying positive behavior support. ABA uses the principles of operant psychology to reduce problem behavior or increase positive behavior ([2], p. 321).

Description

Practitioners who use operant learning and applied behavior analysis principles as a part of their practice believe that behavior is learned and therefore can be unlearned, or that the individual involved can be taught new behaviors ([3], p. 32.) Using an ABA approach, the teacher or therapist analyzes an observable behavior and the antecedents and consequences which seem to support the behavior. An antecedent is defined as “an environmental event or stimulus that precedes a...

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References

  1. Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. H. (2007). Applied behavior analysis (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River: Merrill/Prentice Hall.

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  2. Turnbull, A., Turnbull, R., & Wehmeyer, M. L. (2010). Exceptional lives: special education in today’s schools (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River: Merrill.

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  3. Vaughn, S., & Bos, C. S. (2009). Strategies for teaching students with learning and behavior problems (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River: Merrill/Pearson.

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  4. Yell, M. L., Meadows, N. B., Drasgow, E., & Shriner, J. G. (2009). Evidence-based practices for educating students with emotional and behavioral disorders. Upper Saddle River: Merrill.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Special Services, Texas A & M University – Corpus Christi, 6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, TX, 78412, USA

    Dr. Mary Ann Zipprich Ph.D. (Assistant Professor Special Education)

Authors
  1. Dr. Mary Ann Zipprich Ph.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mary Ann Zipprich Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Neurology, Learning and Behavior Center, 230 South 500 East, Suite 100, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84102, USA

    Sam Goldstein Ph.D.

  2. Department of Psychology MS 2C6, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA

    Jack A. Naglieri Ph.D. (Professor of Psychology) (Professor of Psychology)

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© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

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Ann Zipprich, M. (2011). Applied Behavioral Assessment. In: Goldstein, S., Naglieri, J.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_174

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_174

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-77579-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-79061-9

  • eBook Packages: Behavioral Science

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