Behavioral Momentum
In Plain Language
The persistence of behavior when conditions change or something disrupts it.
ABA Definition
A framework relating resistance to change to the history of reinforcement in a stimulus context; response rate and resistance to change are distinct.
Everyday Example
A well-supported routine may persist despite a distracting interruption.
ABA Example
A clinician considers reinforcement history when evaluating how well a learned skill persists during disruption.
How It May Be Used
The term is sometimes used loosely for high-probability sequences, but the sequence and the theory are not identical.