What term is used to describe events that occur prior to a given behavior that may influence that behavior?

The term that refers to events occurring prior to a given behavior, which may influence that behavior, is "antecedents." In the context of behavioral analysis, antecedents are stimuli or conditions that exist before a behavior occurs and can play a critical role in shaping and predicting that behavior. They provide the context or situation that prompts an individual to engage in a particular response.

For instance, in a music therapy setting, if a client tends to engage in singing when music is played, the act of playing the music serves as an antecedent that influences the singing behavior. Understanding antecedents is essential for therapists as it allows them to create environments that encourage positive behaviors and address undesired ones.

In contrast, consequences refer to what happens after a behavior, which can affect whether that behavior is likely to occur again in the future. Baseline refers to the initial state or condition of behavior before any intervention takes place, serving as a reference for measuring changes. Terminal objective denotes the ultimate goals or outcomes that a treatment plan aims to achieve. Thus, antecedents are specifically linked to the events that precede and potentially influence behavior.