Behaviour has at least seven or eight dimensions: frequency, rate, duration, latency, topography, locus, and force or intensity – and, with some behaviours, age appropriateness. Mostly, therapy works with seven. (Special education and disability services work with age appropriateness).

Behaviours can either be maintained, increased, decreased, or ceased.

Frequency refers to how many times something is done. Frequency is a dimension of interest if you need to engage in a behaviour more or less.

Rate is a dimension of interest if you need to engage in a behaviour more or less in a given time interval. Rate is a dimension of interest if you need to engage in a behaviour more slowly or faster – more or less of the behaviour per unit of time.

Duration is how long a behaviour lasts. Duration is a dimension of interest if you need to engage in a behaviour a longer or shorter span of time.

Latency refers to the amount of time it takes for a behaviour to occur or start. Latency is a dimension of interest if you need to start to behave more quickly, or more slowly.

Topography is what a behaviour looks like, or more specifically its shape and form. It is a dimension of interest when measuring a behaviour’s correctness in a given context as it is experienced by seeing, hearing or feeling it. Latency is a dimension of interest if you need to perform a behaviour differently or differently in different contexts.

Locus or context, refers to where the behaviour occurs, that is, its location or context. It is a dimension of interest when it is necessary to know where the behaviour is, or is not, occurring.

Force is the strength of intensity of the behaviour. For example, talking too loudly or too softly for a specific situation. It is a dimension of interest when it is necessary to know if you need to increase or reduce the level of impact of the behaviour.

© Gregg Chapman, 2021.

If you think you need to change your behaviour and some help may assist you may consider talking with a psychologist. For an appointment, phone Belconnen Specialist Centre on 6251 1880.