Characteristics of ABA
The field of ABA is a relatively new field. It’s defining characteristics were identified about fifty years ago. These characteristics help define the field and are used as guidelines for best practice.
| Seven characteristics of ABA | Definition | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Applied | Commitment to enhancing and improving people's lives | Target behaviors are carefully selected to have the most meaningful impact on the individual's current situation and future. |
| Behavioral | Reliable and valid measurement of behavior | Change in behavior is precise and defined for each individual |
| Analytical | In research, the experimenter must be able to control the occurrence and non-occurrence of the behavior | The procedures RBTs use are proven to be effective. |
| Technological | Procedures are written in a way that they may be replicated by others | Presentations and research articles provide all the information needed to apply the procedures with other clients. |
| Conceptually Systematic | All procedures are derived from the same basic principles | With training on the basic principles, RBTs have all the knowledge they need to understand even the most complex interventions and assessments described in research |
| Effective | Effective means making a change that is clinically or socially significant - practical importance is values over statistical significance | The work of RBTs changes lives |
| Generality | Behavior change lasts over time and across environments, also when behaviors change that were not the focus of the intervention | Interventions are designed to have lasting effects |