Which behavioral modification approach is grounded in behavioral learning theory?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the correct answer as it is fundamentally rooted in behavioral learning theory. This approach systematically applies principles of learning and motivation to influence behavior, primarily through the use of reinforcement strategies to increase desirable behaviors and decrease unwanted ones. ABA involves careful observation and measurement of behaviors, allowing practitioners to determine the relationship between the environment and behavior and to implement effective interventions based on that data.

The emphasis on data collection and analysis, along with the use of reinforcement, positions ABA within the framework of behavioral learning theory, which posits that behaviors can be learned and modified through interactions with the environment.

Other options, while they may share some connections to behavioral principles, do not embody behavioral modification in the same rigorous, systematic manner that ABA does. Pivotal Response Therapy, for instance, is a behavioral intervention that focuses on pivotal areas of a child's development but is specifically tailored for autism and emphasizes more than just behavior. Behaviorism is a broader psychological perspective rather than a specific modification approach, and positive reinforcement strategies are just one tool used within many behavioral approaches rather than a comprehensive framework on their own.