Domain A

Question 1

Goals of behavior analysis as a science

Answer 1

Description- quantify and classify observed events to test for possible relationships

Prediction- look at descriptions of events and identify the probability of one event occurring when another event occurs

Control- experimental test of the prediction

Question 2

5 Philosophical Assumptions

Answer 2

DEPPS
__________

Determinism- the world is an orderly, predictable, lawful place where all events occur as a result of cause and effect

Empiricism-knowledge is built on objective observation

Parsimony- simplest and already established theory must be ruled out before considering more complex ones

Pragmatism- what is discovered in research is only useful when there are practical positive outcomes (e.g. effective for a client)

Selectionism- behavior evolves and is maintained by consequences (function)

Question 3

Radical Behaviorism

Answer 3

B.F. Skinner; seeks to understand all human behavior, private (covert behavior) and public (overt behavior). radical= “far reaching/thoroughgoing”

Question 4

4 Branches of Behavior Analysis

Answer 4

BEAP
__________

Behaviorism- environmental (not mentalistic) explanation of behavior

Experimental Analysis of Behavior- research done in controlled settings

ABA- applied research using principles from EAB to improve socially significant behavior

Professional Practice- individuals implementing ABA procedures within their professions

Question 5

7 Dimensions of ABA

Answer 5

BATCAGE

Behavioral- the subject of interest is the behavior in need of improvement

Applied- improve socially significant behaviors in real-world settings

Technological- requires that procedures are defined clearly and detailed so they are replicable

Conceptually Systematic- procedures should come from basic principles of behavior analysis (punishment, extinction, reinforcement)

Analytic- when a functional relationship is shown

Generality- behavior change that persists across time and environments

Effective- practical improvement; creating a significant difference in a person’s life and in the lives of those aound them

Question 6

3 Principles of Behavior

Answer 6

Punishment

Extinction

Reinforcement

hint: they are all based on consequences