Define 'behavior chain' in ABA.

The term 'behavior chain' refers to a sequence of individual behaviors that are linked together to complete a larger task. In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), behavior chains are critical for teaching complex skills that require multiple steps or actions. Each behavior in the sequence serves as a cue for the next behavior, and when these behaviors are performed in order, they lead to the successful completion of a specific goal or task.

For example, teaching a child to brush their teeth may involve breaking down the process into discrete steps such as picking up the toothbrush, applying toothpaste, brushing, rinsing, and putting the toothbrush away. Understanding and implementing behavior chains allows practitioners to effectively teach and reinforce multi-step tasks, accommodating to the learner's pace and ensuring clarity in instruction. This link between individual behaviors helps in skill acquisition and development.

The other responses do not accurately capture the concept of a behavior chain; one suggests a repetitive behavior that needs to be changed, another describes unrelated actions, and the last one implies a data collection method, none of which align with the systematic and structured nature of behavior chaining in ABA.