What measure counts the number of times a target behavior occurs?

• A. Frequency
• B. Latency
• C. Duration
• D. Permanent product recording procedures

Answer: (A)

Counting how often a target behavior occurs is frequency. It records every instance within a set observation period, giving a total count of occurrences. For example, if a student shouts out 8 times during a 15-minute session, the frequency is 8. This is different from latency, which measures the time from a cue to the start of the behavior; duration, which measures how long each occurrence lasts; and permanent product recording, which looks at tangible outcomes left by the behavior. Frequency directly answers “how many times did the behavior occur?”