ABC Data: The Key to Understanding Behavior

ABC data offer a framework for understanding behavior and is the foundation of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). The term “ABC” refers to the context of a behavioral event, describing events that occur before and after a behavior you want to learn more about.

Professionals in the field of ABA often refer to ABC data as the 3-term contingency. The 3 terms include the antecedent (A), the behavior (B) and the consequence (C). Each component contributes to a greater understanding of why behavior continues. You then use this information to create a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) or to develop a plan for skill acquisition.

Although you most often associate evaluating ABC data with conducting a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and developing a behavior reduction plan, these data also provide information to guide skill acquisition as well. Assessing the context within which a behavior occurs helps you understand that behavior. Whether it’s a behavior you want to see more or less of is irrelevant. Behavior follows natural laws, like gravity. All behavior, desired or undesired, follows these rules.

Contents

ABCs of Behavior Antecedent Behavior Consequence Setting Events Understanding the Context of Behavior Overt and Covert Behaviors ABC Data for Behavior Reduction Determining the Function of the Behavior ABC Data for Skill Development ABC Data Collection How much data do you need to collect? ABC Data Collection Tools ABC Data Collection Example Ethical Considerations When Collecting and Analyzing ABC Data Research Related to Collecting and Analyzing ABC Data

Related Posts

ABCs of Behavior

All behavior occurs within a context. Some event or action occurs before the behavior and something else occurs after that behavior. This context helps you identify the factors that occasion the behavior as well as the maintaining variables. This leads to an understanding of motivation, allowing for the development of a plan for altering behavior. Conditions that occur closest to the behavior tend to have the greatest impact; however, some events or conditions that occur hours or even days before behavior may also influence that behavior.

ABC data collection is an integral component when conducting an FBA to hypothesized the function of the target behavior. This descriptive analysis allows you to develop a plan to alter the maintaining variables to change behavior. Although Functional Analysis (FA) is often considered the “gold standard” for identifying function, a descriptive analysis provides several distinct advantages according to Martens, DiGennaro, Reed, Szczech, and Rosenthal (2008):

• Collected in the natural environment and does not appear contrived to the individual resulting in potentially more accurate data
• Uncover information that is distinctive to the individual or setting
• Reveal consequences delivered on a schedule that is difficult to duplicate in a contrived condition
• Highly flexible in application
• A direct measure of behavioral events as they occur

To understand the antecedent, ask yourself questions such as:

• Where did the behavior happen?
• When did the behavior happen? (i.e. time of day)
• Who was with your child when the behavior happened?
• What else is happening when the behavior happens? (i.e. noise in the room, other people in the area)

For example, you want to understand why your learner runs away from you when it’s time to sit at the table to do work. Look at what happens right before he runs away. What did you say or do? Who else was present in the room? What else was going on in the room at the time? What was he doing?

When considering the ABCs for skill acquisition, the antecedent is the discriminative stimulus (SD). The SD evokes a specific response that has been reinforced in the past (or is a response that you plan to teach). The SD signals the availability of reinforcement given the specific response and is the essence of teaching any skill.

For example, you want your learner to clap his hands when you say “clap.” You consistently provide reinforcement when he claps in the presence of the SD (“clap”) and withhold reinforcement when the behavior occurs in the absence of the SD. This builds stimulus control and is how skills develop.

Back to Top

Each example or non-example should contribute to the precision of the definition. Avoid extraneous descriptions, but include enough to cover common situations that occur that may evoke questions from your interventionist. Read our post Operational Definitions: Clearly Define the Behavior for more information and examples of common target behaviors in ABA.

Back to Top

These maintaining consequences lead to a hypothesis of the function of that behavior (i.e. access or escape). When a consequence follows a behavior and that behavior occurs more often (or with greater intensity or for longer durations), that consequence has a reinforcing effect. When a consequence follows a behavior and that behavior occurs less often (or with less intensity or for shorter durations), that consequence has a punishing effect. Reinforcement or punishment is not an inherently good or bad consequence, but instead describes the effect of the stimuli on behavior (i.e. does the behavior increase or decrease).

This is where many techniques commonly recommended to reduce maladaptive behaviors fail. Techniques like 1-2-3 Magic offer 1 solution regardless of why the learner engages in the behavior. When you fail to consider the function of the behavior, you run the risk of reinforcing the very behavior you try to reduce.

For example, common parenting gurus like SuperNanny recommend putting a child in time out when he misbehaves. If that child engages in maladaptive behavior to escape a particular situation, then time out becomes an effective reinforcer and the behavior will occur more frequently in the future.

Back to Top

For example, Magito McLaughlin, D., & Carr, E. G. (2005) found that poor rapport led to an increase in escape-maintained behaviors, while these behaviors were reduced in the presence of staff who established good rapport with the subject. This shouldn’t be surprising when you consider your own feelings and behaviors around those you dislike versus those with whom you feel close, however it’s easy to overlook this as a possible setting event if the feelings are unknown or the individual isn’t directly involved in the interaction or behavior.

Although many setting events are observable, some such as mood are not quantifiable (Ramey, D., Healy, O., Lang, R., Gormley, L., & Pullen, N., 2019). This can make drawing parallels between a behavior and a setting event difficult, yet understanding setting events can help you determine why a behavior happens under different circumstances.

Download our Setting Events Checklist for a comprehensive list of setting events:

Back to Top

Understanding the Context of Behavior

The SABCs can be used to understand the context of the behavior – the events that trigger and reinforce it. By looking at the most common antecedents and consequences you can begin to understand the behavior in a new way. Consider the following questions when analyzing the data you’ve collected:

Most Common Antecedents	Most Common Consequences
Did you ask your learner to do something he or she didn’t want to do?	Did you reprimand your learner?
Was your learner playing alone?	Did you withhold attention from your learner after the behavior?
Did you tell your learner “no?”	Did you block access to what your learner wanted?
Did the behavior occur during transitions?	Did you remove the demand after the behavior?
Did the behavior occur during unstructured time?	Did you institute some form of “punishment” such as time out?
Did the behavior occur when your child didn’t have adult attention?	Did you give your learner access to a preferred item?
Was there something else that happened just before the behavior?	Was there something else that happened just after the behavior?

In this video, Amelia Dalphonse, MA, BCBA discusses the using context of behavior to understand why behavior continues.

Back to Top

Overt and Covert Behaviors

Most often, you will focus your attention on behaviors you can observe. These are overt behaviors. In ABA, professionals rely on the ability to measure behavior and only behavior that can be observed can be measured.

It’s also important to note that behaviors occur that you can’t see. These are covert behaviors. These behaviors occur within the learner’s body and include things like thought. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) uses many of the principles of ABA to address covert behavior.

Back to Top

ABC Data for Behavior Reduction

ABA programs frequently seek to reduce the occurrence of maladaptive behavior. ABC data collection procedures contribute to a general understanding of the context within which a specified behavior commonly occurs. Understanding this context allows for you to hypothesize the function of the behavior leading to effective interventions. This is the most common use for ABC data.

Take a look at this example of ABC data collected to understand the context of Ethan’s jumping:

Back to Top

Determining the Function of the Behavior

ABC data helps you determine the function of a behavior. If a behavior persists then the learner is getting something from it. There are many tools to help you determine what a learner is getting from a behavior. Our post Functions of Behavior in ABA: Complete Guide goes into detail on this important topic.

Sometimes, as in the example from the video above, the ABCs provide sufficient information to make this determination. However, in some cases you may need to gather additional information via interviews and questionnaires to truly understand the motivation of the learner.

To help determine the function of a behavior, we have created interactive “quiz:”

Back to Top

ABC Data for Skill Development

The ABC data collected offers insight into the learner’s motivation. Identifying conditions that evoke a specific response and cause that response to occur more or less often in the future provides an opportunity for you to develop an effective skill acquisition plan. When a learner struggles with skill acquisition, revisit the ABCs. Is there an antecedent (visual stimuli, physical or verbal prompt, etc) that evokes the desired response? Are there consequences that make that response more likely to occur? ABC data allows for objectively evaluating the conditions that produce the skill you want to teach. This helps you understand if the learner has become prompt dependent or is reliant on a high quality reinforcer.

Back to Top

ABC Data Collection

Accurate collection of ABC data is critical for determining the function of the behavior and identifying the appropriate interventions to use with your client. However, this requires having someone trained in collecting data present when the behavior happens.

For this reason, it’s not uncommon for practitioners to simulate a situation to provoke the behavior. If a child becomes aggressive when a favorite item is taken away, then the instructor may set up various scenarios where they will take away the learner’s favorite item.

This practice should be avoided for a number of reasons:

1. It causes undue stress on the learner. Many maladaptive behaviors are a response to stress in the learner’s environment. Evoking the behavior unnecessarily can put them in a stressful situation unnecessarily.
2. When situations are staged to evoke the behavior, the data collected may not accurately reflect the circumstances surrounding the behavior outside that setting.

A better alternative is to teach the people who spend the most time with your clients to collect this data. Alternatively they can record video of what happens, however this may miss the antecedent, so should be used in combination with collecting data and/or interviews.

Data Collected by Staff and Caregivers

All descriptive data is subject to observer error or bias, but being aware of this tendency reduces the impact of these concerns. When training staff and caregivers to collect ABC data, ensure there are no punishing consequences in place when they self-report responding to a behavior in a way that doesn’t align with how you have asked them to respond.

Data from new staff and parents tend to be more reliable when you provide choices in the form of checkboxes as pictured below. You receive a more robust picture of behavioral incidents when the form is blank and left open for narrative statements. For best results, create a balance with these different types of data collection tools. Download our template that provides you with 4 different ABC or SABC data sheets.

Back to Top

How much data do you need to collect?

How much data you need to find a pattern depends on the behavior and your circumstances.  There is no magic number.  Depending on how frequently the behavior occurs this could be days or even weeks.  Be patient and eventually you will find a pattern.

Let’s look at an example.  If your client Sammy bangs his head on the floor, you may need to look at ABC data to change this behavior. 

From the data here, can we tell why Sammy was banging his head on the floor? Having collected data just one time, it might not be clear.

From day 2, there seems to be a pattern developing.  In both instances Sammy was alone and he was picked up so he didn’t hurt himself.  But is it enough?  Does this prove that the antecedent is always that Sammy is alone?  Let’s look at the data for day 3.

On day 3 the antecedent seems different.  In this case he wasn’t alone.  What else could it be?  What if on this 3^rd day you were also in the kitchen making dinner?  Does this change what you think might be causing the behavior?  It’s important to keep collecting data for several instances of the behavior.  The more data you collect the more accurately you’ll be able to determine the antecedents and consequences influencing the behavior.

Back to Top

ABC Data Collection Tools

Standard ABC data collection templates like the downloadable ones above are a good option for a number of reasons. They’re:

• Easy to use
• Require little technical skills to record data
• Can be printed to use when technology isn’t available

However, there are some issues with this format:

• Data must be transferred into another tool to analyze it and summarize it for an FBA
• Templates are not mobile-friendly

Other Apps

There are many other web-based tools and apps that can work. Below are 2 templates we created that you can copy and use:

• Google Sheets
• Google Docs

Get creative with your favorite tools!

Back to Top

ABC Data Collection Example

Watch the video below for an example of one father collecting ABC data for his son, Ethan.

In this example, Tom collected the data pictured below.

Antecedent: Although Tom is doing something different in each instance, Ethan engages in the target behavior when Tom’s attention is restricted. More data may be required to determine if other factors are at play.

Consequence: In each instance of the behavior, Tom directed his attention to Ethan and told him to stop.

From this limited data it appears that Ethan engages in the target behavior when Tom is busy and not paying attention to him. Then, the behavior is reinforced when Tom pays Ethan attention by telling him to stop.

This example is an over-simplification to demonstrate how the forms can be used to collect and analyze the data.

Back to Top

Ethical Considerations When Collecting and Analyzing ABC Data

The table below presents some important ethical considerations when collecting and analyzing ABC data. The table includes specific action steps to help you ensure you practice in an ethical way.

Concern	Description	Action Steps for Ethical Practice
Informed Consent	Obtaining voluntary and informed consent from participants or their legal guardians.	– Provide clear and understandable information about the purpose, procedures, and potential risks or benefits of data collection. – Allow participants or their legal guardians to ask questions and make informed decisions about participating. – Respect the right of participants to decline or withdraw consent at any time.
Validity and Reliability	Ensuring the accuracy, validity, and reliability of data collection and analysis procedures.	– Use standardized and validated measurement tools or observation protocols to collect ABC data. – Train data collectors to ensure consistency and accuracy in data collection procedures. – Implement inter-observer agreement measures to assess reliability of data collection.
Bias and Objectivity	Avoiding personal biases and ensuring objectivity in data collection and analysis.	– Provide training and guidelines to data collectors to minimize personal biases and promote objectivity. – Implement blind or independent data collection procedures to reduce bias. – Conduct peer review or independent data analyses to verify objectivity.
Harm and Distress	Minimizing potential harm or distress caused to participants during data collection.	– Consider potential risks and benefits of data collection, ensuring that any potential harm or distress is minimized and justified. – Monitor participant well-being and provide support or debriefing as needed. – Use non-invasive and non-coercive data collection methods.
Competence and Qualifications	Ensuring that data collectors possess the necessary competence and qualifications to collect and analyze ABC data.	– Provide appropriate training to data collectors on data collection protocols and ethical guidelines. – Regularly assess and update the skills and knowledge of data collectors through professional development opportunities. – Encourage collaboration and consultation among professionals with diverse expertise.
Transparency and Openness	Promoting transparency and openness in data collection and analysis practices.	– Clearly communicate the purpose, methods, and findings of data collection and analysis to relevant stakeholders. – Share data collection protocols, analysis procedures, and results with colleagues or the wider research community when appropriate. – Foster a culture of open science and encourage replication or verification of findings.
Cultural Sensitivity	Recognizing and respecting cultural differences and ensuring that data collection and analysis practices are sensitive to diverse cultural backgrounds.	– Familiarize oneself with the cultural context and norms of the participants. – Adapt data collection procedures and materials to be culturally sensitive and inclusive. – Engage in ongoing dialogue and collaboration with participants and community members to understand their perspectives and needs.
Data Ownership and Access	Clarifying ownership, control, and access rights to the collected data.	– Clearly define and communicate data ownership and access rights in informed consent or data sharing agreements. – Obtain necessary permissions to access, use, or share data. – Safeguard data integrity and prevent unauthorized access or use.
Data Integrity and Accuracy	Ensuring the integrity and accuracy of collected data throughout the process.	– Implement quality control measures to detect and correct data entry or recording errors. – Regularly review and validate data for accuracy and completeness. – Maintain clear documentation of data collection procedures and any modifications made.
Data Dissemination and Reporting	Accurately reporting and disseminating findings from ABC data analysis.	– Adhere to ethical guidelines for reporting research findings, ensuring transparency, objectivity, and honesty. – Provide a balanced representation of the results, including any limitations or potential biases. – Engage in responsible and ethical communication of findings to relevant stakeholders and the wider community.
Dual Relationships	Managing potential conflicts of interest or dual relationships that may compromise the objectivity or integrity of data collection.	– Avoid or disclose any potential conflicts of interest between the researcher/data collector and the participant. – Maintain professional boundaries and avoid engaging in relationships that may compromise the objectivity of data collection. – Seek supervision or consultation to navigate challenging situations involving dual relationships.
Data Storage and Retention	Safely and securely storing and retaining collected data for an appropriate duration.	– Implement secure data storage systems that protect against unauthorized access or loss of data. – Establish retention policies that comply with relevant legal and ethical requirements. – Safely dispose of or anonymize data once it is no longer needed.
Participant Autonomy	Respecting the autonomy and rights of participants throughout the data collection process.	– Provide clear and understandable explanations of the purpose, procedures, and potential risks and benefits of data collection. – Obtain informed consent and ensure participants have the right to withdraw or decline participation. – Respect participant choices regarding their involvement and level of participation.
Continuous Monitoring and Evaluation	Continuously monitoring and evaluating data collection and analysis practices to identify and address ethical concerns.	– Regularly review and assess data collection procedures and protocols for ethical considerations. – Encourage open communication and feedback from participants and stakeholders regarding ethical concerns. – Implement mechanisms for ongoing evaluation and improvement of ethical practices in data collection and analysis.

Back to Top

Research Related to Collecting and Analyzing ABC Data

Below is a table summarizing research articles related to collecting and analyzing ABC data. The table includes important action steps to help you put these ideas into practice.

Article Title	Summary	Action Steps for Applying the Information
Producing meaningful improvements in problem behavior of children with autism via synthesized analyses and treatments	The article presents a case study demonstrating the use of synthesized analyses and treatments to produce meaningful improvements in problem behavior of children with autism. The authors synthesized various assessment tools and developed a treatment package targeting the function of the problem behavior. The treatment included noncontingent reinforcement, extinction, and differential reinforcement procedures. The results showed significant reductions in problem behavior and improvements in adaptive behavior.	Professionals can use synthesized analyses and treatments to develop comprehensive behavior intervention plans for individuals with autism, targeting the function of problem behavior and incorporating evidence-based strategies such as noncontingent reinforcement, extinction, and differential reinforcement.
Toward a functional analysis of self-injury	The article presents a functional analysis of self-injury behavior and provides a systematic assessment procedure for identifying the environmental conditions that maintain the behavior. The authors conducted a series of experimental analyses to determine the function of self-injury for each participant. The results revealed distinct functional relations between the self-injurious behavior and various environmental events.	Professionals can conduct functional analyses to identify the maintaining variables for self-injury behavior in individuals with developmental disabilities. This information can guide the development of effective behavior intervention plans that address the specific environmental conditions maintaining the self-injury.
Using ABC narrative recording to identify the function of problem behavior: A pilot study	The article explores the use of ABC (Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence) narrative recording as a method for identifying the function of problem behavior. The authors conducted a pilot study with three participants and found that ABC narrative recording was a feasible and effective approach for identifying the antecedents and consequences associated with problem behavior. The method provided valuable information for understanding the function of the behavior and guiding intervention strategies.	Professionals can implement ABC narrative recording as an assessment tool to gather detailed information about the antecedents and consequences related to problem behavior. This data can contribute to the identification of the behavior’s function and inform the development of targeted interventions.
Accuracy of teacher-collected descriptive analysis data: A comparison of narrative and structured recording formats	The article compares the accuracy of narrative and structured recording formats for teacher-collected descriptive analysis data. The authors found that both formats produced similar levels of accuracy, suggesting that teachers can effectively collect and analyze descriptive data using either format. However, the structured format demonstrated greater efficiency in data collection and analysis.	Professionals can train and support teachers in the use of both narrative and structured recording formats for collecting descriptive analysis data. Consideration should be given to the specific needs and preferences of the teacher and the practical constraints of the educational setting.
Quality of rapport as a setting event for problem behavior: Assessment and intervention	The article highlights the importance of rapport in behavioral assessments and interventions. The authors discuss how the quality of rapport between the therapist and the individual can influence the occurrence of problem behavior. They provide strategies for assessing the quality of rapport and demonstrate how improving rapport can lead to reductions in problem behavior.	Professionals should prioritize building a positive rapport with individuals during behavioral assessments and interventions. This can be achieved through person-centered approaches, active listening, and establishing a supportive and trusting relationship. Assessing and addressing the quality of rapport can contribute to more effective intervention outcomes.
Contingency space analysis: An alternative method for identifying contingent relations from observational data	The article introduces contingency space analysis as an alternative method for identifying contingent relations from observational data. The authors demonstrate how this method can be used to analyze complex behavior-environment interactions and identify functional relations. They discuss the advantages of contingency space analysis over traditional methods and provide examples of its application.	Professionals can consider using contingency space analysis as a tool for analyzing observational data to identify contingent relations between behavior and environmental events. This approach can enhance the understanding of functional relationships and inform the development of behavior intervention strategies.
Relative contributions of three descriptive methods: Implications for behavioral assessment	The article compares the relative contributions of three descriptive methods—ABC narrative recording, scatter plot, and interval recording—for behavioral assessment. The authors found that ABC narrative recording yielded more accurate and reliable information compared to scatter plot and interval recording. They discuss the implications of these findings for selecting appropriate descriptive methods based on the assessment goals and the complexity of the target behavior.	Professionals should carefully consider the selection of descriptive methods based on the assessment goals and the nature of the behavior being assessed. ABC narrative recording may be particularly useful when detailed information about antecedents and consequences is needed.
Mood as a Dependent Variable in Behavioral Interventions for Individuals with ASD: A Systematic Review	The article presents a systematic review of studies investigating mood as a dependent variable in behavioral interventions for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The authors discuss the importance of measuring and addressing mood as an outcome measure in interventions. They provide recommendations for incorporating mood assessment into behavioral interventions and emphasize the need for individualized approaches.	Professionals should consider assessing and addressing mood as an important outcome measure in behavioral interventions for individuals with ASD. This can be done through self-report measures, direct observations, and caregiver reports. Tailoring interventions to address individual needs and promoting positive mood outcomes can enhance the effectiveness and well-being of individuals with ASD.

References

Hanley, G. P., Jin, C. S., Vanselow, N. R., & Hanratty, L. A. (2014). Producing meaningful improvements in problem behavior of children with autism via synthesized analyses and treatments. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 47(1), 16-36.

Iwata, B. A., Dorsey, M. F., Slifer, K. J., Bauman, K. E., & Richman, G. S. (1982). Toward a functional analysis of self-injury. Analysis and Intervention in Developmental Disabilities, 2(1-2), 3-20.

Lanovaz, M. J., Argumedes, M., Roy, D., Duquette, J. R., & Watkins, N. (2013). Using ABC narrative recording to identify the function of problem behavior: A pilot study. Research in developmental disabilities, 34(9), 2734-2742.

Lerman, D. C., Hovanetz, A., Strobel, M., & Tetreault, A. (2009). Accuracy of teacher-collected descriptive analysis data: A comparison of narrative and structured recording formats. Journal of Behavioral Education, 18, 157-172.

Magito McLaughlin, D., & Carr, E. G. (2005). Quality of rapport as a setting event for problem behavior: Assessment and intervention. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 7(2), 68–91. doi:10.1177/10983007050070020401.

Martens, B. K., DiGennaro, F. D., Reed, D. D., Szczech, F. M., & Rosenthal, B. D. (2008). Contingency space analysis: An alternative method for identifying contingent relations from observational data. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 41(1), 69-81.

Pence, S. T., Roscoe, E. M., Bourret, J. C., & Ahearn, W. H. (2009). Relative contributions of three descriptive methods: Implications for behavioral assessment. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 42(2), 425-446.

Ramey, D., Healy, O., Lang, R., Gormley, L., & Pullen, N. (2019). Mood as a Dependent Variable in Behavioral Interventions for Individuals with ASD: A Systematic Review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 6, 255-273. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-019-00169-8