1) Interventions that are designed to change behaviour in a precisely measurable manner. Often used interchangeably with the terms applied behaviour analysis and behaviour therapy. However, applied behaviour analysis is restricted to those interventions that also include an experimental analytic design to assess treatment effects. When respondent (i.e., "Pavlovian") procedures are emphasized, the term behaviour therapy tends to be used. Treatment involving modification of self-communication ("thoughts" and "images") usually is labelled "Cognitive behaviour Therapy."

2) Changing of behavior. While all teaching could be seen as behaviour modification, the term usually refers to (1) the explicit use of reinforcers to change behaviour (as in a token economy), or (2) clinical uses of respondent conditioning, such as "desensitization" or "aversion therapy."