Behavioral Intelligence con Mara Sanchez

In this episode of  Behavioral Intelligence con Mara Sánchez , we break down  H.5: Planning for and mitigating possible relapse of the target behavior , a critical competency for ensuring that behavior change is  durable under real-world conditions . Behavior does not disappear—it is  suppressed, replaced, and influenced by context . When conditions change (e.g., reinforcement schedules, environme...

In this episode of  Behavioral Intelligence con Mara Sánchez , we break down  H.4: Planning for and mitigating possible unwanted effects when using reinforcement, extinction, and punishment procedures , a critical competency for ensuring interventions are  effective, ethical, and sustainable . Every behavior-change procedure can produce  side effects . The role of the clinician is not only to desi...

In this episode of  Behavioral Intelligence con Mara Sánchez , we break down  H.3: Selecting socially valid alternative behaviors to be established or increased when a target behavior is to be decreased , a cornerstone of ethical and effective behavior reduction. Reducing behavior is never the primary goal— replacing it is . If an alternative behavior does not serve the same function, is not effic...

In this episode of  Behavioral Intelligence con Mara Sánchez , we break down  H.2: Identifying and recommending interventions based on assessment results, scientific evidence, client preferences, and contextual fit , a core competency for designing  individualized, ethical, and effective treatment plans . Intervention selection is not guesswork—it is a  clinical decision-making process  that integ...

In this episode of  Behavioral Intelligence con Mara Sánchez , we break down  H.1: Developing intervention goals in observable and measurable terms , a foundational skill for designing effective, ethical, and data-driven treatment plans. If a goal is not observable and measurable—it is not clinically usable. Clear goal writing ensures that behavior can be  reliably measured, objectively evaluated,...

In this episode of  Behavioral Intelligence con Mara Sánchez , we break down  G.19: Designing and evaluating procedures to promote emergent relations and generative performance , one of the most advanced and powerful concepts in behavior analysis. This is where learning becomes  exponential . Instead of teaching every response directly, clinicians design instruction so that new behaviors  emerge w...

In this episode of  Behavioral Intelligence con Mara Sánchez , we break down  G.18: Evaluating the emotional and elicited effects of behavior-change procedures , a critical competency for ensuring that interventions are not only effective—but also  ethical, humane, and socially valid . Behavior change procedures do not occur in isolation. Every intervention can produce  collateral effects —includi...

Description In this episode of  Behavioral Intelligence con Mara Sánchez , we break down  G.17: Designing and evaluating positive and negative punishment procedures , a highly sensitive and ethically regulated area of applied behavior analysis. Punishment is not about control—it is about  reducing behavior safely, ethically, and only when clinically justified . These procedures must always be impl...

In this episode of  Behavioral Intelligence con Mara Sánchez , we break down  G.16: Designing and evaluating procedures to maintain desired behavior change following intervention , a critical competency for ensuring that behavior persists  after formal services are reduced or removed . Acquisition is only the beginning. If behavior does not maintain, the intervention has not achieved its full purp...

In this episode of  Behavioral Intelligence con Mara Sánchez , we break down  G.15: Designing and evaluating procedures to promote stimulus and response generalization , a critical competency for ensuring that behavior change is  functional, durable, and meaningful in real life . Teaching a skill is not enough. If the behavior only occurs in one setting, with one person, or under one condition— it...

In this episode of  Behavioral Intelligence con Mara Sánchez , we break down  G.14: Designing and evaluating group contingencies , a high-impact strategy for managing behavior and increasing efficiency in group settings such as classrooms, clinics, and community environments. Group contingencies are not just about managing multiple learners—they are about  leveraging social dynamics and shared rei...

In this episode of  Behavioral Intelligence con Mara Sánchez , we break down  G.13: Designing and evaluating trial-based and free-operant procedures , a core distinction that directly impacts how behavior is taught, measured, and generalized. These are not just teaching formats—they represent  two fundamentally different ways of arranging the environment to evoke and strengthen behavior. Mastery o...

In this episode of  Behavioral Intelligence con Mara Sánchez , we break down  G.12: Selecting and implementing chaining procedures , a fundamental strategy for teaching complex, multi-step skills. Chaining is not just teaching steps—it is about  linking discrete responses into a functional sequence  where each step serves as both a conditioned reinforcer and a discriminative stimulus for the next...

In this episode of  Behavioral Intelligence con Mara Sánchez , we break down  G.11: Shaping dimensions of behavior , one of the most powerful procedures for building complex skills that do not yet exist in the learner’s repertoire. Shaping is not guessing—it is a  systematic, differential reinforcement process  where successive approximations of a target behavior are reinforced while previous appr...

In this episode of  Behavioral Intelligence con Mara Sánchez , we break down  G.10: Designing and evaluating instructions and rules , a critical skill for establishing clear stimulus control and promoting efficient learning. Instructions and rules are not just verbal directions—they are  behavioral antecedents  that specify contingencies and influence responding. When designed correctly, they can...

In this episode of  Behavioral Intelligence con Mara Sánchez , we break down  G.9: Designing and evaluating modeling procedures , a powerful strategy for teaching new behaviors through observation and imitation. Modeling is more than demonstration—it is a  systematic instructional procedure  that relies on the learner’s ability to attend, discriminate, and reproduce observed behavior. When designe...

In this episode of  Behavioral Intelligence con Mara Sánchez , we break down  G.8: Designing and implementing procedures to fade stimulus and response prompts , a core competency for achieving true independence in learners. Prompting is only effective if it is temporary. The goal is not correct responding with assistance—the goal is  transfer of stimulus control to the natural environment . Fading...

In this episode of  Behavioral Intelligence con Mara Sánchez , we break down  G.7: Selecting and evaluating stimulus and response prompting procedures , a critical skill for building efficient, ethical, and data-driven teaching systems. Prompting is not just about helping a learner respond—it's about  engineering success while systematically transferring stimulus control . The way you select a...

In this episode of  Behavioral Intelligence , we break down  G.6: Simple and conditional discrimination . This is the foundation of learning. 🎯  In this episode, you will learn: • Simple vs conditional discrimination • Matching-to-sample ⚠️  Common Exam Traps: • Ignoring conditional cues 💡  Exam Strategy: Multiple stimuli → ✔ Conditional discrimination 🔥  Clinical Insight: Discrimination builds...

In this episode of  Behavioral Intelligence , we break down  G.5: Motivating operations and discriminative stimuli . Understanding the difference between MO and SD changes everything. At Amethyst Therapy Services Inc., we teach clinicians to control behavior through environment design. 🎯  In this episode, you will learn: • EO vs AO • SD vs MO • How both influence behavior ⚠️  Common Exam Traps: •...

In this episode of  Behavioral Intelligence , we break down  G.4: Conditioned reinforcement and token economies . Tokens only work if they are conditioned—and most people skip this step. At Amethyst Therapy Services Inc., we train clinicians to design powerful reinforcement systems. 🎯  In this episode, you will learn: • How conditioned reinforcers are established • How to build a token economy •...

In this episode of  Behavioral Intelligence , we break down  G.3: Time-based reinforcement schedules (NCR) . This procedure reduces behavior by changing motivation—not consequences. At Amethyst Therapy Services Inc., we teach clinicians how to ethically reduce severe behaviors using NCR. 🎯  In this episode, you will learn: • What noncontingent reinforcement is • How NCR abolishes motivation • Whe...

In this episode of  Behavioral Intelligence , we break down  G.2: Differential reinforcement procedures with and without extinction . Differential reinforcement is how elite clinicians replace problem behavior with functional alternatives. At Amethyst Therapy Services Inc. ( www.amethysttherapyservices.com ), we train clinicians to select the right procedure based on function—not guesswork. 🎯  In...

In this episode of  Behavioral Intelligence , we break down  G.1: Design and evaluate positive and negative reinforcement procedures . Reinforcement is the foundation of behavior change—and one of the most misunderstood topics on the exam. At Amethyst Therapy Services Inc. ( www.amethysttherapyservices.com ), we train clinicians to apply reinforcement with precision to drive meaningful and measura...

In this episode of  Behavioral Intelligence , we break down  F.8: Interpreting assessment data to identify and prioritize socially significant, client-informed, and culturally responsive goals . Not all behaviors should be targeted. Your role as a BCBA is to identify what truly matters—what improves  quality of life, independence, and long-term outcomes . At  Amethyst Therapy Services Inc. ( www.a...