Area 2: Definition and Characteristics

Question 1

“We must assume that behavior is l____ and d____”. We must expect to discover what a man does is the result of s_____ c_____ and that once these conditions have been discovered, we can anticipate and to some extent d_____ his actions.” (Skinner, 1953, p. 6)

Answer 1

…lawful and determined.
…specifiable conditions…
…determine…

Question 2

2-2: Explain determinism as it relates to behavior analysis (BIG D, BIG 5).

Answer 2

1. It is the assumption that the universe is a LAWFUL and ORDERLY place in which phenomena occur as a result of other events.
2. Everything happens for a REASON!
3. Phenomena occur in relation to other events and NOT in a WILL-NILLY, accidental fashion!
4. The occurrence of any event is DETERMINED by the FUNCTIONAL RELATIONS it holds with other events.
5. Although determinism must alway remain an ASSUMPTION–it cannot be proven–it is an assumption with strong empirical support.

Question 3

What is empiricism?

…the emperor should be ____ and free of ____…

Answer 3

The practice of objective observation of the phenomena of interest.

Objectivity=independent of prejudices, tastes, and private opinions.

FOREMOST rule in science!

Question 4

What is parsimony?

….pars, sparse, cheap!

Answer 4

Be frugal, start simple ;)

It requires that all simple, logical explanations for the phenomenon be ruled out, experimentally or conceptually, before more complex or abstract explanations are considered.

A fully parsimonious interpretation consists only of those elements that are necessary and sufficient.

Question 5

What is the difference between MENTALISTIC and ENVIRONMENTAL explanations of behavior?

Answer 5

MENTALISTIC explanations of behavior assumes that a mental, or “inner,” dimension exists that differs from a behavioral dimension and it directly causes or at least mediates some forms of behavior…it relies on hypothetical constructs (unobserved entities that cannot be manipulated in an experiment. e.g., free will, memory, info processing, etc.).

Example: X = knew the teacher would send him to the principal’s office and he would get out of doing his math problems. Y = was frustrated by the math problems

Julie spends recess time all alone because she: X = has a low self-concept. Y = she finds time alone very reinforcing as she knows that she will avoid teasing

Sue starved herself for several weeks, then binged on burgers and purged because: 2-5 X = She is bulimic. Y = She suffers from Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimic type.

=explanations inferred, circular, not directly physically measurable

ENVIRONMENTAL explanations of behavior assumes that behavior cannot occur in the absence of environment. Environment=the conglomerate of real circumstances in which the organism exists.

=explanations derived from direct measurement

Question 6

Experimental Analysis of Behavior (EAB):

Providence:
Primary activity:
Primary goal:
Secondary goal:
Agreement with existing database:
Testability:
Scope:
Precision:

Answer 6

EAB:

…A method for studying behavior and the environmental variables of which it is a function. The characteristics of this method include continuous observation of the behavior of individuals, selection of behavior that can be quickly repeated with little effect on the environment, precise description of both behavior and the independent variables in question, automated recording whenever possible, and studying behavior in controlled environments. Cumulative records of rate are commonly used.

Providence: BASIC research
Primary activity: design, conduct, interpret, & report BASIC experiments
Primary goal: discover basic principles and functional relations between BEHAVIOR and controlling variables
Secondary goal: identify questions and raise theoretical issues
Agreement with existing database: complete
Testability: Mostly–there are some technical limitations
Scope: as much as possible
Precision: as much as possible

Question 7

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA):

Providence:
Primary activity:
Primary goal:
Secondary goal:
Agreement with existing database:
Testability:
Scope:
Precision:

Answer 7

ABA:

The design, implementation, and evaluation of environmental modifications to produce socially significant improvements in human behavior.

Providence: APPLIED research
Primary activity: design, conduct, interpret, & report APPLIED experiments
Primary goal: improving socially significant behavior and functional relations between SOCIALLY SIGNIFICANT BEHAVIOR and controlling variables
Secondary goal: identify questions and raise theoretical issues
Agreement with existing database: complete
Testability: Mostly–there are some limitations posed by some settings
Scope: as much as possible
Precision: as much as possible

Question 8

Behavior Technologies:

Providence:
Primary activity:
Primary goal:
Secondary goal:
Agreement with existing database:
Testability:
Scope:
Precision:

Answer 8

Behavior Technologies:

The set of procedures developed and validated by applied behavior analytic researchers, which are utilized by practitioners, some behavior analytic and some not

Providence: helping peps behave more successfully
Primary activity: design, conduct, & evaluate behavior change programs
Primary goal: improving lives as a result of behavior change
Secondary goal: increase efficiency in achieving goals
Agreement with existing database: as much as possible, but practitioners must often deal with situations not covered by existing data
Testability: Partially–some variables are not accessible (e.g., a student’s home life)
Scope: Narrow bc practitioner’s focus is on helping the specific situation
Precision: MAXIMUM to change behavior most effectively in specific instances.

Question 9

2-5: Describe and explain behavior, including private events, in behavior analytic (non-mentalistic) terms

Answer 9

The activity of living organisms.

Incudes everything that people DO.

An organism’s interaction with its environment that results in measurable change.

PRIVATE EVENTS: within the skin. Covert stimulus control…accessible only to the individual involved.

Question 10

What is OPERANT behavior?

Answer 10

behavior that is selected, maintained, and brought under stimulus control as a FUNCTION/OPERATION of its consequences.

Everyone’s repertoire of operant behavior is a product of their history of interactions with the environment (ontogeny).