What does ABC stand for in the Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence approach?

• A. Antecedent-Behavior-Outcome
• B. Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence
• C. Antecedent-Condition-Behavior
• D. Action-Behavior-Consequences

Answer: (B)

Understanding the ABC model helps you see how a behavior starts and what keeps it going. The sequence starts with what happens before the behavior (the Antecedent), then the behavior itself (the Behavior), and finally what happens after the behavior (the Consequence). The term used is Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence, which is the standard labeling in this approach. The Consequence can either reinforce the behavior, making it more likely to happen again, or punish/withdraw a stimulus, making it less likely to recur.

For example, if a child is asked to put away toys (antecedent) and the child throws a toy (behavior), and the caregiver gives attention or a preferred activity in response (consequence), that attention can reinforce the disruptive behavior, increasing its chances in the future. If the consequence were to ignore the behavior and calmly redirect to the task, the likelihood of the behavior repeating would typically decrease. The key idea is that the consequence immediately after the behavior shapes future occurrences, and the standard term to describe this entire sequence is Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence.