Chapter 1 Flashcards
Functional Relation
Experiment reveals that manipulation of one event reliably produces a change in another event
Determinishm
Universe is a lawful place. Events occur as a result of other events
Empiricism
Practice of objective observation
Replication
repeating experiments to determine reliability of results
Parsimony
rule out simple, logical explanations first
Philosophic Doubt
scientists continually question the truthfulness of what is regarded as fact
Science
a systematic approach to the understanding of natural phenomenon
Behaviourism
philosophy of the science of behaviour
EAB
Experimental Analysis of Behaviour (research)
What are the attitudes of science?
Determinism, Empiricism, Experimentation, Replication, Parsimony and Philosophic Doubt
Watson initially argued…
For direct observation of the relationship between environmental stimuli (S) and the response they evoke (R)
Who is responsible for EAB?
B.F. Skinner
What is respondent behaviour?
Reflexive. I.e. bright light and pupils constrict S-R reflex
What is operant behaviour?
Are behaviours that are influenced by stimulus changes that have followed the behaviour in the past
Mentalism
Assumes that a mental of inner dimension exists that differs from a behavioural dimension
Explanatory Fiction
a fictitious variable that is often simply another name for the observed behaviour that gives nothing to an understanding of the variables responsible for maintaining the behaviour (circular)
Methodological Behaviourism
Those that denied the existence of “inner variables” that were outside the realm of scientific account
Radical Behaviourism (who and what)
Skinner; seeks to understand all human behaviour including private events
What are the defining characteristics of ABA
Applied, Behavioural, Analytic, Technological, Conceptually Systematic, Effective, Generality
Describe the Applied characteristic of ABA
Improves socially significant behaviour
Describe the Behavioural characteristic of ABA
Behaviour chosen must be the one in need of improvement. Behaviour must be measurable. Need to ensure that the correct person’s behaviour has changed
Describe the Analytic characteristic of ABA
Looks at the functional relations between manipulated events and reliable changes in measurable behaviour
Describe the Technological characteristic of ABA
When all procedures are documented such that someone else can replicate the procedure
Describe the Conceptually Systematic characteristic of ABA
Procedures for changing behaviour and why used should be described in terms of relevant principles
Describe the Effective characteristic of ABA
Must improve the behaviour to a practical degree
Describe the Generality characteristic of ABA
The behaviour change lasts over time, appears in environments and spreads to other behaviours not directly treated with intervention.
Name some other minor characteristics of ABA
Accountable, Public, Doable, Empowering and Optomistic
What is a private event (PE)?
an event that stimulates only 1 person. Usually contained within the skin such as a thought
