Chapter 1 Flashcards
What is behaviour, generally and technically? Give three synonyms for behaviour.
Generally - anything that a person says or does
Technically - any muscular, glandular, or electrical activity of an organism
Synonyms - activity, action, performance
Describe two dimensions of behaviour. Give an example of each.
Duration is the length of time that a behaviour lasts
Example: Lisa ran for 30 minutes
Frequency is the number of times that a behaviour occurs in a given period of time
Example: Alex ate 1 piece of pizza every 5 minutes
What is a behavioural deficit? Give two examples that are not in this chapter.
Behavioural deficit - too little behaviour of a particular type
Example: a doctor does not wash their hands when they go from patient to patient
Example: a child does not say, “please” and “thank you” when asking and receiving something
What is behavioural excess? Give two examples that are not in this chapter.
Behavioural excess - too much behaviour of a particular type
Example: a driver frequently experiences road rage and swears at others on the road
Example: a teenager plays video games for hours everyday
Define behavioural modification.
Behaviour modification - involves the systematic application of learning principles and techniques to assess and improve individuals covert and overt behaviours in order to enhance their daily functioning
State seven defining characteristics of behaviour modification.
First, its strong emphasis on defining problems in terms of behaviour that can be measured in some way, and using changes in the behavioral measure of the problem as the best indicator of the extent to which the problem is being helped
Second, its treatment procedures and techniques are ways of altering an individual’s current environment to help that individual function more fully
Third, its methods and rationales can be described precisely
Fourth, the techniques of behaviour modification are often applied by individuals in everyday life
Fifth, the techniques stem from basic and applied research in the science of learning in general, and the principles of operant and Pavlovian conditioning in particular
Sixth, behaviour modification emphasizes scientific demonstration that a particular intervention or treatment was responsible for a particular behaviour change
Seventh, it places a high value of accountability for everyone involved in behaviour modification programs
Define behavioural assessment.
Behavioural assessment - involves the collection and analysis of information and data in order to (a) identify and describe target behaviours; (b) identify possible causes of the behaviour; (c) guide the selection of an appropriate behavioural treatment; and (d) evaluate treatment outcome
Briefly describe B.F. Skinner’s early influence on behavioural modification.
Distinguished between Pavlovian conditioning and operant conditioning. He offered his interpretation of how basic learning principles could influence the behaviour of people in all kind of situations. In the 1950s and 1960s, practitioners, influenced by Skinner, published a number of papers that demonstrations applications of operant conditioning principles to help people in a variety of ways.
List four myths or misconceptions about behaviour modification.
Use of rewards by behaviour modifiers to change behaviour is bribery
Behaviour modification involves the use of drugs and electroconvulsive therapy
Behaviour modification only changes symptoms; it doesn’t get at the underlying problem
Behaviour modification is outdated
What is key to ensuring ethical and effective treatment programs by applied analysts/behaviour therapists?
It is the monitoring of data by concerned parties and clients that is the cornerstone for ensuring ethical and effective treatment programs by applied behavior analysts and therapists.
