Inter-Response Time In ABA (Meaning)

In ABA, inter-response time is a gauge of time that happens between mutual examples of response classes.

Steven Zauderer
August 4, 2025

Inter-Response Time Meaning/Definition

In ABA, inter-response time is a gauge of time that happens between mutual examples of response classes. This is a rudimentary measurement for different behaviors that are focused on for mitigation or a merger.

On its own, it's a measurement of time, occurring with two consecutive events within some response. Inter-response time is important because it determines whether his behavior has a benefit or harm.

If someone takes a 30-minute nap break during lunch, it's not the same as going to sleep for seven straight hours at the same time.

A child crying for five minutes on rare occasions isn't nearly the same as one having an ear-piercing tantrum every time they don't get their way.

Doing exercises for a couple of minutes every week isn't likely to affect someone's health or overall fitness level, yet doing so for an hour or two on a daily schedule could result in a greater chance of getting hurt.

Inter-response time is averaged by calculating how much time goes by between instances of behavior that are targeted.

First, the total inter-response time must be divided by the amount of those being tracked. For instance, a teenager hit their fist on a desk six times in one session as observed. Inter-response time is based on the action of guessing parameters for items that are featured in a scale. This divides one's responses with items from the lower area of the contract that's being gauged.

IRT Examples

A basic example of IRT is when someone sends a message on their smartphone. After the message is sent, a waiting period ensues.

The time that one presses the send portion on an application and completes a different text is the IRT. In clinical situations, this is similar to a client giving loud cries during a tantrum, to which a therapist marks down the time in between the outburst stopping and starting again.

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