Target bx and their operantional definitions allow for researchers in ABA to use the same techniques to analyze the same bx to replicate results of successful interventions to strengthen their significance. They also allow to practitioners for the evaluation of the target bx and results #replicateResults
Operational definition
- shows the 3 defining criteria(#clear #complete, and #objective)
- they allow you to convey either what the behavior looks like (topography, #objective) or what function the behavior serves while providing sufficient detail(examples and non-examples) to be clear and complete #coc(k)
- Operational definition is objective when the definition is subjective only
-When Operational definition is clear, it is easily readable, understandable, and not ambigous. Anyone can/shoul only be able to take away one message that was intended by the person describing the behavior.
-when an operational definition is complete, it includes description of examples and non-examples of the target behavior
- It is not objective, it uses unobservable qualifier and mentalistic concepts such as "happy", "good mood", and "like".
- A target behavior definition is valid, when any occurrence of the behavior of concern and no other irrelavent behaviors are captured in the data collection.
Topography-based definitions
- identify instances of the target behavior according to the shape or form of the behavior.
- this should be used when there is no direct, reliable, or easy access to the functional outcome of the target bx, and/or cannot rely on the function of the bx because each instance does not produce the relevant outcome in the natural environment or the outcome might be produced by other events.
Function-based definitions
- classify responses as members of the targeted response class only by their common effect on the environment, they encompass all relevant forms of the response class. They are often simpler and more concise than topography-based definitions, which leads to easier, more accurate, and reliable measurement and allows for the consistent application of interventions #WTF #WhatThe#Function