Objectives
- What is ABC Analysis?
- How do the components relate to each other?
- How is it useful?
- How to use ABC Narrative?
What is ABC Analysis?
The concept is widely known as a best practice for evaluating problem behaviors under the umbrella of Applied Behavior Analysis. The acronym stands for:
A = Antecedent
B = Behavior
C = Consequence
It is usually used in a chart form by identifying the A, B, and C over an extended period of time.
- The ANTECEDENT section includes events that occur immediately before the behavior of interest.
- The BEHAVIOR section includes the specific behavior that is observed.
- The CONSEQUENCE section includes the events occurring immediately after the behavior.
The behavior of interest is contingent on both the antecedent and consequence.
- Useful for gathering insight and evidence to what triggers behaviors.
- know pre-existing details first for best results (age, sex, neuter status, breed, etc..)
- excellent for diagnosing aggression and other behavior problems.
- see client information template
- Understand what consequences are effective at changing the dog's behavior in the same situation over time.
- Understand what specific antecedents trigger the specific behavior.
ABC Chart in Practice
Behavior of concern: Dog Jumping on Owner
Trend identified:
| Antecedent | Behavior (dog) | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Owner returns home from work. | Jumps on owner. | Owner immediately pets dog. |
| Antecedent | Behavior (dog) | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Owner returns home from work. | Jumps on owner. | Owner immediately pets dog. |
A consequence can be changed and then tracked, in an attempt to make the behavior more or less likely to occur.
| Antecedent | Behavior (dog) | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Owner returns home from work. | Jumps on owner. | Owner doesn't pet dog until it stops jumping. |
| Antecedent | Behavior (dog) | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Owner returns home from work. | Jumps on owner less. | Owner doesn't pet dog until it stops jumping. |
| Antecedent | Behavior (dog) | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Owner returns home from work. | Jumps on owner even less than last time. | Owner doesn't pet dog until it stops jumping. |
| Antecedent | Behavior (dog) | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Owner returns home from work. | Jumps on owner once and then stops. | Owner doesn't pet dog until it stops jumping. |
| Antecedent | Behavior (dog) | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Owner returns home from work. | Approaches without jumping. | Owner immediately pets dog. |
| Antecedent | Behavior (dog) | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Owner returns home from work. | Approaches without jumping. | Owner immediately pets dog. |
Antecedents are just as important in understanding reoccurring behavior as the consequence.
Here, a slightly change in the antecedent from the owner to a guest entering the home completely changes the behavior and the resulting consequence. A new trend is recorded:
| Antecedent | Behavior (dog) | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Guest enters the home. | Stands back and barks. | Owner yells at dog. |
| Antecedent | Behavior (dog) | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Guest enters the home. | Stands back and barks. | Owner yells at dog. |
Again, the consequence is changed and the results are tracked:
| Antecedent | Behavior (dog) | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Guest enters the home. | Stands back and barks. | Owner prompts the dog to go to a "place" and gives a treat. |
| Antecedent | Behavior (dog) | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Guest enters the home. | Stands back and barks less. | Owner prompts the dog to go to a "place" and gives a treat. |
| Antecedent | Behavior (dog) | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Guest enters the home. | Stands back, barks once, and looks at the owner. | Owner prompts the dog to go to a "place" and gives a treat. |
| Antecedent | Behavior (dog) | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Guest enters the home. | Stands back and looks at the owner. | Owner prompts the dog to go to a "place" and gives a treat. |
| Antecedent | Behavior (dog) | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Guest enters the home. | Stands back and looks at the owner. | Owner prompts the dog to go to a "place" and gives a treat. |
Therefore identified antecedents are useful for avoiding problem behaviors or preparation for consequence changes. For example:
- Managing aggression
- Preventing nuisance barking
- Disobedience
ABC analysis can also be used as a narrative to analyze behavior.
This is when you record details of strings of behaviors by making a consequence to a behavior the new antecedent to the next behavior.
Here is an example of ABC Narrative:
| Antecedent | Behavior (dog) | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Guest enters the home. | Stands back and barks. | Owner yells at dog. |
| Antecedent | Behavior (dog) | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Owner yells at the dog. | Dog growls at the owner. | Owner kicks the dog. |
| Antecedent | Behavior (dog) | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Owner kicks the dog. | Dog bites the owner. | Owner screams at the dog and tells guest to leave.. |
The Law of Effect
The "Law of Effect" by Edward Thorndike precedes the works of B.F. Skinners operant conditioning and includes all the components of the ABC model and the foundation needed to explain operant conditioning.
The Law of Effect is that: Of several responses (Behavior) made to the same situation (Antecedent), those which are accompanied or closely followed by satisfaction (Consequence) to the animal will, other things being equal, be more firmly connected with the situation, so that, when it recurs, they will be more likely to recur; those (Behavior) which are accompanied or closely followed by discomfort (Consequence) to the animal will, other things being equal (Antecedent), have their connections with that situation weakened, so that, when it recurs, they will be less likely to occur. The greater the satisfaction or discomfort, the greater the strengthening or weakening of the bond.
Edward L. Thorndike (1911) Animal Intelligence
KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid)
"responses (Behavior) that produce a satisfying effect (Consequence) in a particular situation (Antecedent) become more likely to occur again in that situation, and responses that produce a discomforting effect become less likely to occur again in that situation."
A Foundation for Understanding Operant Conditioning.
If you understand the ABC model behavior analysis along with a foundation of ethology, you will have the base knowledge needed to analyze problem behaviors.
Additionally, an understanding of this model will serve as a foundation to clarify B.F. Skinner's operant conditioning by adding just a few more details.
Responses