Applied Behavior Analysis Descriptions and Characteristics of Applied Behavior Analysis
This set explains Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as the systematic collection and analysis of observable, quantifiable behaviors, which helps identify patterns, relationships, and generate hypotheses for further research.
Description Level of Understanding
Collection of facts about observed events that can be quantified, classified, and examined for possible relations with other known facts
Often suggests hypotheses or questions for additional research
Key Terms
Description Level of Understanding
Collection of facts about observed events that can be quantified, classified, and examined for possible relations with o...
Methodological behaviorism
these early behaviorist either denied the existence of “inner variables” or considered them outside the realm of scientific account
Empiricism
Practice of objective observation of phenomena of interest, free from personal opinion/bias - “empirical research”
Generality
Produces behavior changes that last over time…
Appear in other environments (other than...
Behaviorism
The philosophy of the science of behavior. various forms-methodological and radical
Radical behaviorism
includes and seeks to understand all human behavior, including private events
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Description Level of Understanding | Collection of facts about observed events that can be quantified, classified, and examined for possible relations with other known facts Often suggests hypotheses or questions for additional research |
Methodological behaviorism | these early behaviorist either denied the existence of “inner variables” or considered them outside the realm of scientific account |
Empiricism | Practice of objective observation of phenomena of interest, free from personal opinion/bias - “empirical research” What all scientific knowledge is built upon “Objective” is the key to gaining a better understanding of what is being studied |
Generality | Produces behavior changes that last over time… Appear in other environments (other than the one in which intervention was implemented)… Or spread to other behaviors (those not directly treated by the intervention) |
Behaviorism | The philosophy of the science of behavior. various forms-methodological and radical |
Radical behaviorism | includes and seeks to understand all human behavior, including private events |
Parsimony | The idea that simple, logical explanations must be ruled out, experimentally or conceptually, before more complex or abstract explanations are considered Help scientists fit findings within the field’s existing knowledge base |
Mentalism | an approach to the study of behavior which assumes that a mental or “inner” dimension exist that differs from a behavioral dimension. |
Experimental Analysis of Behavior | Skinner recorded the rate at which a single subject emitted a given behavior in a controlled and standardized experimental chamber. |
Replication | The repetition of experiments to determine the reliability and usefulness of findings Includes the repetition of independent variable conditions within experiments Method for which mistakes are discovered |
Explanatory fiction | a fictitious variable that often is simply another name for the observed behavior that contributes nothing to an understanding of variables that develop or maintain behavior. |
Determinism | Assumption upon which science is predicted Presumption that the universe is a lawful and orderly place in which all phenomena occur as the result of other events Events do not just occur at will Events are related in systematic ways Antithesis of fatalism, accidentalism |
Applied Behavior Analysis | Behavior analysis is comprised of three major branches Behaviorism Experimental analysis of behavior (EAB) Applied behavior analysis (ABA) Can only be understood in the context of the philosophy & basic research traditions & findings |
Defining Characteristics of ABA | Baer, Wolf, and Risley (1968) recommended the following seven defining dimensions for research or behavior change programs: Applied Behavioral Analytic Technological Conceptual Effective Generality |
Analytic | The experimenter can demonstrate a functional relationship and control the occurrence and nonaccurence of the behavior |
Effective | Improves behavior sufficiently to produce practical results for the participant(s) Improvements in behavior must reach clinical or social significance Extent to which changes in the target behavior(s) result in noticeable changes |
Science | A systematic approach to the understanding of natural phenomena as evidenced by description, prediction and control, that relies on determinism as its prime directive, experimentation as basic strategy, replication as necessary for believability, parsimony as a conservative value, and philosophic doubt as guiding conscience |
Behavioral | Precise measurement of the actual behavior in need of improvement & documents that it was the participant’s behavior that changed The behavior in need of improvement and it is a study of behavior (not about behavior) The behavior must be measurable Important to note whose behavior has changed |
Experimentation | Basic strategy in most sciences Experiment: |
Prediction Level of Understanding | Observed Correlations that are regular enough to predict that when one event occurs, another is likely to follow Relative probability that when one event occurs, another event will or will not occur Based on repeated observation revealing relationships between various events Demonstrates correlation between events No causal relationships can be interpreted Enables preparation |
Hypothetical construct | a presumed but unobserved process or entity (e.g. Frued’s ego, id, and super ego |
Applied | Investigates socially significant behaviors with immediate importance to the participant; i.e functional skills Examples include behaviors such as: Social Language Academic Daily living Self-care Vocational Recreation and/or leisure |
Philosophic Doubt | The continuous questioning of the truthfulness and validity of all scientific theory and knowledge Involves the use of scientific evidence before implementing a new practice, then constantly monitoring the effectiveness of the practice after its implementation |
Purpose of Science | Systematic approach for seeking & organizing knowledge about the natural world |
Control Level of Understanding | Functional relations can be derived; i.e. a specific manipulation of the IV will create a specific change in the DV, which is not caused by confounding variables. However, note that events can only really be “co-related;” we cannot know for certain that one causes another because it is nearly impossible to factor out all other possible “causes” |
Technological | Written description of all procedures in the study is sufficiently complete and detailed enough to enable others to replicate it All operative procedures are identified and described in detail & clarity Replicable technology |
Conceptually Systematic | Behavior change interventions are derived from basic principles of behavior Better enable research consumer to derive other similar procedures from the same principle(s) Assist in integrating discipline into a system instead of a “collection of tricks” |
Functional Relation | Specific change in one event (dependent variable)…. |