Foundational Knowledge

Question 1

ABA

Answer 1

A scientific approach for discovering environmental variables that reliably influence socially significant behavior and for developing a technology of behavior change that is practical and applicable.

Question 2

Science

Answer 2

A systematic approach to the understanding of nsurl phenomena, as evidenced by description, prediction and control- that relies on determinism as its fundamental assumption, empiricism as its prime directive, experimentation as basic strategy, replication as its necessary requirement for believability, parsimony as its conservative value, and philosophic doubt as its guiding conscience

Question 3

Purpose of science

Answer 3

To achieve a thorough understanding of the phenomena under study. In ABA, the phenomena are socially significant behaviors.

Question 4

3 Levels of Scientific Understanding

Answer 4

Description
Prediction
Control

Question 5

Description

Answer 5

Systematic observations that can be quantified and classified and are not causal explanations.

Question 6

Prediction/ Correlation/ Covariation

Answer 6

Two events may regularly occur at the same time but does not necessarily mean one causes the other

Question 7

Control/ Causation

Answer 7

Functional relation exists when a well-controlled experiment reveals that a specific change in one event (DV) can reliably be produced by specific manipulations of another event (DV) and change in DV was unlikely to be the result of other extraneous factors

Question 8

6 Attitudes of Science/ Philosophical Assumptions of Behavior

Answer 8

Determinism
Empiricism
Experimentation
Replication
Parsimony
Philosophical Doubt

Question 9

Determinism

Answer 9

The world is orderly and predictable
Cause and effect
Lawfulness: If/ then

Question 10

Empiricism

Answer 10

FACTS
experimental, data-based scientific approach drawing upon observation and experience and requires objective quantification and detailed description of events

Question 11

Experimentation

Answer 11

Basic strategy of most sciences, requires manipulating variables so as to see the effects on the dependent variable, requires that all variables be controlled except the DV

Question 12

Replication

Answer 12

Method used by scientists to determine the reliability and usefulness of the their findings; how scientists discover their mistakes, thus making science a self-correcting enterprise

Question 13

Parsimony

Answer 13

All the simple and logical explanations must be rules out before considering more complex explanations

Question 14

Philosophical Doubt

Answer 14

Skepticism and critical eye about the results of studies and work with clients

Question 15

7 Dimensions of ABA

Answer 15

Behavioral
Applied
Technological
Conceptually Systematic
Analytical
Generality
Effective

Question 16

Behavioral

Answer 16

Observable events; bx one chooses must be the bx in need of improvement

Question 17

Applied

Answer 17

Improves everyday life of clients and help significant others so they may behave positively towards client; SOCIALLY SIGNIFICANT BEHAVIORS

Question 18

Technological

Answer 18

Defines procedures clearly and in detail so they are REPLICABLE

Question 19

Conceptually Systematic

Answer 19

All procedures used should be tied to he basic principles of behavior analysis from which they were derived

Question 20

Analytic

Answer 20

Functional relationship is demonstrated

Question 21

Generality

Answer 21

Generalization

Extends bx change across time, settings, or other behaviors

Question 22

Effective

Answer 22

Improves behavior in practical manner, not simple making a change that is statistically significant

Question 23

Mentalism

Answer 23

An approach to explaining behavior that assumes an inner dimension exists and causes behavior

Question 24

Hypothetical Constructs

Answer 24

AKA imaginary constructs

Presumed but not observed entities

Question 25

Explanatory Fictions

Answer 25

Fictitious variables that are another name for the observed bx and contribute nothing to the understanding of variables responsible for maintaining bx

Question 26

Circular reasoning

Answer 26

The cause and effect are both inferred from the same information

Question 27

Behaviorism

Answer 27

Philosophy of the science of behavior; emerged in the early 20th century as a reaction to “mentalistic”psychology which often had difficulty making predictions that could be tested using experimental methods; environmental explanation of behavior

Question 28

4 Branches of Behavior Analysis

Answer 28

Conceptual Analysis of Behavior
ABA
Behavior Service Delivery
Experimental Analysis of Behavior