Basic Behavior Components (A-B-C Model) Project IDEAL

Description:

What is Behavior?

1. Behavior serves two purposes: (1) to get something or (2) to avoid something.
2. All behavior is learned.
3. Behavior is an action that is observable and measurable.
   • Behavior is observable. It is what we see or hear, such as a student sitting down, standing up, speaking, whispering, yelling, or writing. Behavior is not what a student is feeling, but rather how the student expresses the feeling. For example, a student may show anger by making a face, yelling, crossing his arms, and turning away from the teacher. These observable actions are more descriptive than just stating that the student looks anxious.
   • Behavior is measurable. This means that the teacher can define and describe the behavior. The teacher can easily spot the behavior when it occurs, including when the behavior begins, ends, and how often it occurs. For example, “interrupting the teacher all the time” is not measurable because it is not specific. However, “yelling ‘Hey, teacher!’ 2-3 times each math period” is specific and measurable. Given the definition, even an outside observer would know exactly which behavior the teacher wants to change.
4. Behavior has three components:
   A (Antecedents), B (Behaviors), C (Consequences).