What does "generalization" refer to in ABA?

Generalization in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) refers to the ability of an individual to apply learned behaviors in different contexts or situations beyond the specific circumstances in which those behaviors were originally taught. This concept is crucial for ensuring that skills acquired during interventions are usable and functional in real-life settings, such as at home, in school, or in the community.

When a behavior is generalized, the individual demonstrates the skill in various environments, with different people, or in response to different cues than those present during the original learning. For instance, if a child learns to say "thank you" at home when they receive a gift, generalization would be evidenced if they also say "thank you" at school or at a friend's house even if the context is different.

In contrast, establishing a new behavior, terminating reinforcement, or varying responses during reinforcement do not capture the essence of generalization. Establishing a new behavior focuses on teaching something new, while terminating reinforcement deals with reducing unwanted behaviors, and variation during reinforcement pertains to how responses might differ during the reinforcement process but does not address the application of learned behaviors across contexts. Overall, generalization is essential to ensure the transfer of learned skills to diverse situations, making it a pivotal aspect of effective ABA interventions.