Term
A-1
Explain and behave in accordance with the philosophical assumptions of behavior analysis, such as the lawfulness of behavior, empiricism, experimental analysis, & parsimony |
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Definition
ABA is a science devoted to the understanding and improvement of human behavior. ABA is a scientific approach that applies the science and basic assumptions and attitudes of science to guide all work.
Science
- Description
- Prediction
- Control
All scientists share a fundamental assumptions and attitudes of science.
1) determinism
2) empiricism
3) experimentation
4) replication
5) Parsimony
6) philosophic doubt
(DEEP PR) |
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Term
A-2 (1)
Explain Determinism as it relates to behavior analysis |
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Definition
Determinism: the assumption that the universe is a lawful and orderly place in which phenomena occur in relation to other events and not in a willy-nilly, accidental fashion.
In the experimental analysis of behavior, the orderliness of relations between environmental variables and the subject's behavior is at once the operating assumption upon which the experimenter proceeds, the observed fact that permits doing so, and the goal that continuously focuses experimental decisions. That is, the experimenter begins with the assumption that the subject's behavior is the result of variables in the environment. |
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Term
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Definition
The occurrence of any event is determined by the functional relations it holds with other events.
ABA considers behavior to be a natural phenomenon that, like all natural phenomena, is determined. Although determinism must always remain an assumption - it cannot be proven - it is an assumption with strong empirical support. |
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Term
| 3 Levels of Understanding Science (3 types of investigation) |
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Definition
1) Description
2) Prediction
3) Control |
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Term
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Definition
Types of investigation in science:
- Observable events
Quantified, classified
-> Examined leads to possible questions & hypothesis
Collection of facts about the observed events that can be quantified, classified, & examined for possible relations with other known facts. |
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Definition
Type of investigation in science
- Repeated, observable events revealing relationships & correlations |
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Term
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Definition
Highest level of investigation (scientific understanding)
Functional relations "co-related"
"truths" can be derived
Experimental control
DV & IV |
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Term
| Science: Rules & Assumptions of Science |
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Definition
Science is a systematic approach to questions & understanding as evidence by description, prediction, & control.
Relies on specific assumptions and attitudes.
1) Determinism
2) Empiricism
3) Experimentation
4) Parsimony
5) Philosophic Doubt
6) Replication
(DEEP PR) |
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Term
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Definition
(Attitudes of Science)
Determinism: Science is predicted, universe is lawful & orderly.
Systematic (always has a cause, nothing at random). Place in which phenomena occur as a result of other events.
Things happen for a reason.
Lawfulness of behavior - same as determinism. |
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Term
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Definition
(Attitudes of Science)
Experiment - Controlled comparisons of some measure of the phenomenon of interest (the DV) under two or more different conditions in which only one factor at a time (the IV) differs from one condition to another.
Scientific manipulation is the same as experimentation. |
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Term
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Definition
(attitudes of science)
- Objective observation of the phenomena of interest
- the practice of objective observation of the phenomena of interest
- what all scientific knowledge is built upon
- objective is the key to giving aa better understanding of what is being studied |
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Definition
(attitudes of science)
Constant monitoring & questioning the truthfulness and validity of all scientific theory and knowledge |
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Term
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Definition
(Attitudes of Science)
Parsimony - simple before complex methods used for experimentation.
- use of fields existing knowledge before next experiment (giving a reason for next logical investigation)
(use lit. review to set up with new study) |
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Term
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Definition
(Attitudes of Science)
Replication - Repetition of DV & IV Mistakes are discovered
Repeating experiments (and IV conditions with experiments) to determine the reliability and usefulness of findings. |
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Term
A-3
Distinguish between mentalistic and environmental explanations of behavior |
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Definition
| Mentalism is an approach to understanding behavior that assumes that a mental, or "inner" dimension exists that differs from a behavioral dimension and that phenomena in this dimension either directly cause or at least mediate some forms of behavior; it relies on hypothetical constructs and explanatory fictions. (cognition - Piaget) vs (Cognition -operant learning_ ABA's natural science approach to discovering environmental variables that reliably influence socially significant behavior & developing a technology to take practical advantage of those discoveries offer humankind its best hope for solving many problems |
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Term
A-4 (1)
Distinguish among the experimental analysis of behavior (EAB), applied behavior analysis (ABA), and behavioral technologies |
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Definition
Experimental analysis of behavior (EAB) - a natural science approach for discovering order and reliable relations between orderly behavior and various types of environmental variables of which it is a function.
EAB
*rate of response is the most common DV
*Repeated or continuous measurement is made of carefully defined response classes
*Within-subject experimental comparisons are used instead of design comparing the behavior of experimental & control groups.
*the visual analysis of graphed data is preferred over statistical inferences |
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Term
A-4 (2)
Distinguish among the experimental analysis of behavior (EAB), applied behavior analysis (ABA), and behavioral technologies |
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Definition
EAB (cont/)
*a description of functional relations is valued over formal theory testing
Example statements:
*continuous observation of the behavior of individuals
*precise description of both behavior & the IVs
*includes studying behavior in contrived environments (labs & clinics)
*automated recording whenever possible |
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Term
A-4 (3)
Distinguish among the experimental analysis of behavior (EAB), applied behavior analysis (ABA), and behavioral technologies |
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Definition
Behavioral Technologies:
Watson espoused an early form of behaviorism known as stimulus-response (S-R) psychology, which did not account for behavior without obvious antecedent causes.
Helping people behave more successfully. Design, implement and evaluate BΔ programs.
Statements: standardized protocols for applying behavioral principles to a specific problem. |
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Term
A-4 (4)
Distinguish among the experimental analysis of behavior (EAB), applied behavior analysis (ABA), and behavioral technologies |
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Definition
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA):
Conduct experiments aimed at discovering and clarifying functional relations b/w socially significant behavior and its controlling variables, with which they can contribute to the further development of humane and effective technology of behavior Δ.
Statements: does not always involve well controlled environments, studying behavior w/ significance to the participants involved, does not always involve continuous observation, does not always involve behaviors that can be repeated, automated recording is not usually possible |
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Term
A-5
Describe and explain behavior, including private events, in behavior analytic (non-mentalistic) terms. |
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Definition
Skinner's behaviorism makes three major assumptions regarding the nature of private events (a) private events such as thoughts and feelings are behavior, (b) behavior that takes place within the behavior only by its inaccessibility; and (c) private behavior is influenced by (i.e., is a function of) the same kinds of variables as publicly accessible behaviors.
Radical behaviorism
Behavior is the activity of living organisms. |
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Term
A-5
Use the dimensions of applied behavior analysis (Baer, Wolf, & Risley 1968, 1987) for evaluating interventions to determine if they are behavior analytic |
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Definition
Defining Characteristics of ABA
Baer, Wolf, & Risley (1968, 1987) stated that a research study or behavior change program should meet seven defining dimensions to be considered ABA:
1) Applied - investigates socially significant behaviors with immediate importance to the subject
2) Behavioral - entails precise measurement of the actual behavior in need of improvement & documents that it was the subject's behavior that Δed.
3)Analytic - demonstrates experimental control over the occurrence & nonoccurrence of the behavior that is, if a functional relation is demonstrated.
(GETACAB) |
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Term
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Definition
4) Technological - the written description of all procedures used in the study is sufficiently complete and detailed to enable others to replicate it.
5) Conceptually systematic - behavior change interventions are derived from basic principles of behavior
6) Effective - improves behaviors sufficiently to produce practical results for the participant/client.
7) Generality - produces behavior changes that last over time, appear in other environments, or spread to other behaviors
(GETACAB) |
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Term
2-7
Interpret articles from the behavior analytic literature |
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Definition
1) Know how to interpret graphs (Interpreting graphically displayed behavior Data)
Visual analysis of graphed data attempts to answer two questions: a) did a socially meaningful Δ in behavior take place & b) if so, can the behavior Δ be attributed to the independent variable? (p. 254)
2) Internal Validation - experiments that demonstrate a clear functional relationship
3) Social Validity - extent to which target behaviors are appropriate
4) External Validity - findings have generality to other subjects, settings, behaviors
5) Evaluating ABA Research: should consider the technological description of the experiment, the interpretations & discussion of the results, & the level of conceptual sense and integrity |
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Term
| Definition of Applied Behavioral Analysis |
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Definition
| Applied Behavioral Analysis is the science in which tactics derived from the principles of behavior are applied systematically to improve socially significant behavior and experimentation is used to identify the variables responsible for behavior change. |
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Term
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Definition
| Behaviorism - philosophy of the science of behavior |
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