What does latency measure in behavior assessment?

Latency measures the time that elapses from the presentation of a stimulus until the individual responds. This metric is significant in behavior assessment as it provides insight into the speed of a response following a cue or demand, highlighting potential delays in reaction that may need to be addressed in an intervention plan. By assessing latency, practitioners can identify how quickly individuals engage with tasks or stimuli, which is particularly useful in understanding their engagement levels or readiness to respond.

Other choices involve different aspects of behavior measurement: frequency pertains to how often a behavior occurs, duration tracks how long a behavior lasts, and the time between consecutive responses assesses the intervals during the behavior itself. These metrics are important, but they provide different insights than latency does. Focusing on latency allows for a specific understanding of responsiveness, which can be critical for developing effective behavior strategies.