Observed Value
A measure produced by an observation and measurement system. Observed values serve as the data that the researcher and others will interpret to form conclusions about an investigation.
Observer Drift
Any unintended change in the way an observer uses a measurement system over the course of an investigation that results in measurement error; often entrails a shift in the observer’s interpretation of the original definitions of the target behavior subsequent to being trained.
Observer Reactivity
Influence on the data reported by an observer that results from the observer’s awareness that others are evaluating the data.
Ontogeny
The history of the development of an individual organism during it’s lifetime.
Operant Behavior
The basic process by which operant learning occurs; consequences (stimulus changes immediately following responses) result in an increased (reinforced) or decreased (punishment) frequency of the same type of behavior under similar motivational and environmental conditions in the future.
Overall Response Rate
The rate of response over a given period of time.
Overcorrection
A behavior change tactic based on positive punishment in which, contingent on the problem behavior, the learner is required to engage in effortful behavior directly or logically related to fixing the damage caused by the behavior. Forms of overcorrection are restitutional overcorrection and positive practice overcorrection.
Overselective stimulus control
A condition in which the range of discriminative stimuli, or stimulus features controlling behavior, is extremely limited; often interferes with learning.
Overshadowing
Occurs when the most salient component of a compound stimulus arrangement controls responding and interferes with the acquisition of stimulus control by the more relevant stimulus.
