DoyouknowyourABCs.pptVIP

Do you know your ABC’s? In behavioral terminology ABC’s is an acronym for Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence Why do we need to know our ABC’s? Knowing and understanding the relationship between the Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence contingency allows us to: Observe behaviors as they occur and determine what specifically “triggers” a behavior, and, what “maintains” that behavior. Knowledge of the Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence relationship provides us with information that can be used to reduce or eliminate problem behaviors by intervening before or after they occur. What are Antecedents? Antecedents are anything in a person’s internal or external environment that trigger a behavior. Examples: The alarm clock ringing is an antecedent for waking up. Hunger pangs in our stomach are typically an antecedent for searching for food. Raindrops falling on us are typically an antecedent for opening our umbrella, or quickly seeking out a drier location. A dry mouth is typically an antecedent for finding something cold to drink. What is Behavior? The most simple definition of behavior is: “The actions or reactions of a person or animal in response to internal or external stimuli”. Simply put, everything we do, from the moment we arise in the morning, until the moment we retire at night is considered “behavior”. What are Consequences? Consequences are actions or events that directly follow the occurrence of a behavior. Consequences either increase or decrease the probability that the behavior they follow will occur again in the future. What are consequences? Examples: A student completes an assignment and the teacher praises the student and gives her a sticker. The praise and sticker are a consequence for task completion, and increase the probability the stu