ABA Online Task Tracker

5th Ed. Cooper

BCBA ® et al. Course Unit
Task List Description Number
Task List (2020) Number
Item Chapters

A. Philosophical Underpinnings

Identify the goals of behavior analysis as a science (i.e.,

A-1 1 5042 5
description, prediction, control).

Explain the philosophical assumptions underlying the science of

A-2 behavior analysis (e.g., selectionism, determinism, empiricism, 1, 2 5042 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9
parsimony, pragmatism).

Describe and explain behavior from the perspective of radical 1, 2, 3, 4,

A-3 1 5042
behaviorism. 5, 6, 7, 9

Distinguish among behaviorism, the experimental analysis of

A-4 behavior, applied behavior analysis, and professional practice 1 5042 1, 2
guided by the science of behavior analysis.

Describe and define the dimensions of applied behavior analysis 5042

A-5 1 1
(Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968).

B. Concepts and Principles

Define and provide examples of behavior, response, and

B-1 2 5041 1
response class.

B-2 Define and provide examples of stimulus and stimulus class. 2, 17 5041 2

Define and provide examples of respondent and operant

B-3 2 5041 3, 4, 5, 6
conditioning.

Define and provide examples of positive and negative

B-4 2, 11, 12 5041 4
reinforcement contingencies.

B-5 Define and provide examples of schedules of reinforcement. 2, 13 5041 5

B-6 Define and provide examples of positive and negative

2, 14, 15 5041 4
punishment contingencies.

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 5th Ed. Cooper
BCBA et al. Course Unit
Task List Description
Task List (2020) Number Number
Item Chapters

B. Concepts and Principles

Define and provide examples of automatic and socially

B-7 2, 11 5041 4
mediated contingencies.

Define and provide examples of unconditioned, conditioned, and 2, 11,

B-8 5041 4
generalized reinforcers and punishers. 14, 15

B-9 Define and provide examples of operant extinction. 2, 24 5041 9

2, 17, 18,
B-10 Define and provide examples of stimulus control. 5041 6, 7
19, 20

Define and provide examples of discrimination, generalization, 5041

B-11 2, 17, 30 6, 9
and maintenance.

B-12 Define and provide examples of motivating operations. 2, 16, 18 5041 7, 8

Define and provide examples of rule-governed and 5041;

B-13 2, 18 9; 8
contingency-shaped behavior. 5042

B-14 Define and provide examples of the verbal operants. 18 5041 9

B-15 Define and provide examples of derived stimulus relations. 19, 20 5042 8

C. Measurement, Data Display, and Interpretation

C-1 Establish operational definitions of behavior. 4 5043 1

C-2 Distinguish among direct, indirect, and product measures of 5043

4 2, 3
behavior.

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 5th Ed. Cooper
BCBA et al. Course Unit
Task List Description
Task List (2020) Number Number
Item Chapters

C. Measurement, Data Display, and Interpretation

C-3 Measure occurrence (e.g., frequency, rate, percentage). 4 5043 2, 3, 5

Measure temporal dimensions of behavior (e.g., duration,

C-4 4 5043 2, 5
latency, inter-response time).

Measure form and strength of behavior (e.g., topography,

C-5 4 5043 3
magnitude).

C-6 Measure trials to criterion. 4 5043 3

Design and implement sampling procedures (i.e., interval

C-7 4 5043 3
recording, time sampling).

Evaluate the validity and reliability of measurement

C-8 5 5043 3, 8, 9
procedures.

Select a measurement system to obtain representative data

C-9 given the dimensions of behavior and the logistics of observing 4, 5 5043 2, 3, 5, 9
and recording.

Graph data to communicate relevant quantitative relations (e.g., 4, 5, 8

C-10 6 5043
equal-Interval graphs, bar graphs, cumulative records).

C-11 Interpret graphed data. 6 5043 4, 5, 8, 9

D. Experimental Design

D-1 Distinguish between dependent and independent variables. 7, 8, 9, 10 5043 6

D-2 Distinguish between internal and external validity. 7, 10 5043 6, 9

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 5th Ed. Cooper
BCBA et al. Course Unit
Task List Description
Task List (2020) Number Number
Item Chapters

D. Experimental Design

Identify the defining features of single-subject experimental

D-3 designs (e.g., individuals serve as their own controls, repeated 7, 8, 9, 10 5043 6, 8
measures, prediction, verification, replication).

Describe the advantages of single-subject experimental designs

D-4 7, 9, 10 5043 6
compared to group designs.

Use single-subject experimental designs (e.g., reversal,

D-5 7, 8, 9, 10 5043 6, 7, 8
multiple baseline, multi-element, changing criterion).

Describe rationales for conducting comparative, component,

D-6 7, 8, 10 5043 6, 7
and parametric analyses.

E. Ethics Behave in accordance with the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts

E-1 Introduction 31 5044 1

E-2 Responsibility as a Professional 31 5044 2

E-3 Responsibility in Practice 31 5045 1

E-4 Responsibility to Clients and Stakeholders 31 5045 2

E-5 Responsibility to Supervises and Trainees 31 5044 3

E-6 Responsibility in Public Statements 31 5045 3

E-7 Responsibility in Research 31 5045 3

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 5th Ed. Cooper
BCBA et al. Course Unit
Task List Description (2020) Number Number
Task List
Item Chapters

F. Behavior Assessment

Review records and available data (e.g., educational, medical, 5047

F-1 3 1
historical) at the outset of the case.

F-2 Determine the need for behavior-analytic services. 3 5047 1

5047;
F-3 Identify and prioritize socially significant behavior-change goals. 3 1, 2; 1, 5, 9
5048

5047;
F-4 Conduct assessments of relevant skill strengths and deficits. 3 1; 1
5048

5047;
F-5 Conduct preference assessments. 11, 18 5048; 3; 2; 8
5049

F-6 Describe the common functions of problem behavior. 27 5049 1

F-7 Conduct a descriptive assessment of problem behavior. 27 5049 1

F-8 Conduct a functional analysis of problem behavior. 27 5049 2, 6, 7

F-9 Interpret functional assessment data. 27 5049 2, 6, 7

G. Behavior-Change Procedures

Use positive and negative reinforcement procedures to 11, 12, 13

G-1 5048 2, 3
strengthen behavior.

G-2 Use interventions based on motivating operations and 5048;

16, 18, 26 4, 5, 7, 8; 3
discriminative stimuli. 5049

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 5th Ed. Cooper
BCBA et al. Course Unit
Task List Task List Description (2020) Number Number
Item Chapters

G. Behavior-Change Procedures

G-3 Establish and use conditioned reinforcers 11 5048 3

Use stimulus and response prompts and fading (e.g., errorless, 5048;
G-4 17 4, 9; 3
most-to-least, least-to-most, prompt delay, stimulus fading). 5049

G-5 Use modeling and imitation training. 21 5048 5

G-6 Use instructions and rules. 19*, 28* 5048 6

G-7 Use shaping. 22 5048 3

G-8 Use chaining. 23 5048 5

Use discrete-trial, free-operant, and naturalistic teaching

G-9 21* 5048 4, 5
arrangements.

17, 18, 4
G-10 Teach simple and conditional discriminations. 5048
19, 20

G-11 Use Skinner’s analysis to teach verbal behavior. 18 5048 7, 8

G-12 Use Skinner’s analysis to teach verbal behavior. 19, 20 5048 6

G-13 Use the high-probability instructional sequence. 26 5048 5

G-14 Use reinforcement procedures to weaken behavior (e.g., DRA, 4

13, 25, 26 5049
FCT, DRO, DRL, NCR).

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 5th Ed. Cooper
BCBA et al. Course Unit
Task List Description (2020) Number Number
Task List
Item Chapters

G. Behavior-Change Procedures

G-15 Use extinction. 24 5049 5

Use positive and negative punishment (e.g., time-out, response

G-16 14, 15 5049 5
cost, overcorrection).

G-17 Use token economies. 28 5048 6

G-18 Use group contingencies. 28 5048 6

G-19 Use contingency contracting. 28 5048 6

G-20 Use self-management strategies. 29 5048 6

Use procedures to promote stimulus and response 18, 19,

G-21 5048 4, 8, 9
generalization. 20, 30

G-22 Use procedures to promote maintenance. 13, 30 5048 9

H. Selecting and Implementing Interventions

5047;
H-1 State intervention goals in observable and measurable terms. 3 5048; 1; 1; 8
5049

Identify potential interventions based on assessment results 5048;

H-2 3 4, 8; 8
and the best available scientific evidence. 5049

Recommend intervention goals and strategies based on such 5047;

H-3 factors as client preferences, supporting environments, risks, 3, 31 5048; 2; 9; 8
constraints, and social validity. 5049

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 5th Ed. Cooper
BCBA et al. Course Unit
Task List Task List Description (2020) Number Number
Item Chapters

H. Selecting and Implementing Interventions

When a target behavior is to be decreased, select an acceptable 5048;

H-4 3, 14, 15 1, 7; 4, 7, 8
alternative behavior to be established or increased. 5049

Plan for possible unwanted effects when using reinforcement, 5048;

H-5 14, 15 2; 5
extinction, and punishment procedures. 5049

5047;
H-6 Monitor client progress and treatment integrity. 10 2; 8
5049

Make data-based decisions about the effectiveness of the 5047;

H-7 6*, 7* 1, 2; 8
intervention and the need for treatment revision. 5049

5047;
H-8 Make data-based decisions about the need for ongoing services. 30* 2; 8, 9
5049

Collaborate with others who support and/or provide services 5047;

H-9 30, 31 1, 2; 7, 8, 9
to clients. 5049

I. Personnel Supervision and Management

State the reasons for using behavior-analytic supervision and

I-1 the potential risks of ineffective supervision (e.g., poor client 31 5050 1
outcomes, poor supervisee performance

Establish clear performance expectations for the supervisor 5050;

I-2 31 1; 1, 2
and supervisee. 5051

Select supervision goals based on an assessment of the 5050;

I-3 31 2; 1
supervisee’s skills. 5051

Train personnel to competently perform assessment and 5050;

I-4 31 1; 1
intervention procedures. 5051

I-5 Use performance monitoring, feedback, and reinforcement 5050;

31 2, 3; 1, 2, 3
systems. 5051

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 5th Ed. Cooper
et al. Course Unit
BCBA Task Task List Description (2020) Number Number
List Item Chapters

I. Personnel Supervision and Management

Use a functional assessment approach

I-6 (e.g., performance diagnostics) to identify variables affecting 31 5051 1, 2
personnel performance.

5050;
I-7 Use function-based strategies to improve personnel performance. 31 3; 1, 2, 3
5051

Evaluate the effects of supervision (e.g., on client outcomes, on

I-8 31 5050 3
supervisee repertoires).

References:
Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2017). BCBA task list (5th ed.). Author.

* This task is not claimed as covered in any Cooper et al. 2020 chapter. However, based on our reading,
this topic is covered, at least to some extent, in the indicated chapter.

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