ABA as a Science

Question 1

Goals of Science

Answer 1

Prediction and Control

Question 2

Natural Science

Answer 2

Empirical phenomena; Direct observation & measurement of phenomena or its premanent products

Question 3

Types of natural science

Answer 3

Physics, chemistry, biology, behavior analysis

Question 4

Social science

Answer 4

Hypothetical constructs outside of the natural realm; Indirect observation & measurement

Question 5

Types of social science

Answer 5

Psychology, sociology, political science

Question 6

Philosophical assumptions

Answer 6

Determinism, empiricism, parsimony, philosophical doubt, pragmatism, experimentation

Question 7

Determinism

Answer 7

The universe is a lawful and orderly place.

Question 8

Empiricism

Answer 8

Objective observation with thorough description and quantification of the phenomena of interest, behavior.

Question 9

Experimentation

Answer 9

Systematic manipulation of an independent variable

Question 10

Replication

Answer 10

Repeating any part of an experiment

Question 11

Parsimony

Answer 11

Requires that all simple, logical explanations for the phenomena of interest be ruled out experimentally before more complex or abstract explanations are considered

Question 12

Philosophical Doubt

Answer 12

Continually question the truthfulness of what is regarded as fact.

Question 13

Pragmatism

Answer 13

Assesses the truth of theories or beliefs in terms of the success of their practical application

Question 14

Behaviorism

Answer 14

The philosophy or world view underlying behavior analysis. Posits that behavior is the subject matter of our science.

Question 15

Radical Behaviorism

Answer 15

B.F Skinner’s Philosophy of the science of human behavior. Most influential type of behaviorism for guiding the science and practice of behavior analysis.

Question 16

Determinants of Behavior

Answer 16

Causes of behavior; probablistic

Question 17

Selection

Answer 17

The process in which repeated cycle occur of variation, interaction with the environment, and differential replication as a function of the interaction.

Question 18

Natural Selection

Answer 18

The environment selects which variations survive and are passed on.

Question 19

Cultural Selection

Answer 19

Cultural practices evolve as they contribute to the success of the practicing group.

Question 20

Temporal Contiguity

Answer 20

The nearness of events in time.

Question 21

Contingency

Answer 21

A dependency between events

Question 22

Types of Contingencies

Answer 22

S-S (pairing)
R-S contingencies
S-R-S contingencies (or the 3-term contingency)

Question 23

Basic operations

Answer 23

Direct observation
Repeated measures
Graph data
Manipulation
Systematic evaluation 
Analysis and interpretation

Question 24

Consequential Operation (+)

Answer 24

Contingently present a stimulus immediately after the response

Question 25

Consequential Operation (-)

Answer 25

Contingently remove a stimulus immediately after the response

Question 26

Learning

Answer 26

A relatively permanent change in behavior as a result of experience.