What type of behavior does ABA strive to influence?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) focuses on influencing socially significant behaviors. This is because the primary goal of ABA is to enhance the quality of life and promote meaningful changes in individuals’ behaviors. Socially significant behaviors are those that have a positive impact on an individual's functioning in everyday life, enabling them to achieve greater independence and improve their interactions within their community.

By concentrating on these types of behaviors, ABA practitioners can work to promote skills that lead to better communication, social interaction, self-care, and other essential life skills. These changes not only benefit the individuals receiving interventions but also positively affect their families and social environments, thus fostering a more inclusive society.

Focusing solely on all behaviors or behavioral trends lacks direction and purpose, as it may involve insignificant behaviors that do not contribute to the individual's overall well-being. Unsignificant behaviors do not typically provide the same level of benefit or relevance to the individual and their community, making them less suitable targets for intervention in the context of ABA.