From Technical Jargon to Plain English (Lindsley)

Question 1

While working at Metropolitan State Hospital, the name which accurately and positively described the work being done by Solomon’s and Skinner’s team was
_____ in ____ therapy.

Answer 1

studies
behavior

Question 2

Which of the following points does the author state as possible reasons for technical jargon?

It is a necessary step in developing a technology or profession.

It maintains a hierarchy between practitioners and patients.

It is intended to make the practice more marketable.

It is to differentiate between professionals and amateurs in the field.

Answer 2

It is a necessary step in developing a technology or profession.

Question 3

What reasons does the author give for using plain English when discussing our field?

(Select all that apply)

Plain English is more accurate.

We understand Plain English without having to think about the words.

We are fluent listeners and speakers of Plain English.

We expect professionals to dumb it down.

Answer 3

Plain English is more accurate.

We understand Plain English without having to think about the words.

We are fluent listeners and speakers of Plain English.

Question 4

All of the following are steps included in the ______ procedures.

Choose a discovery label.
Accept technical jargon words.
Select a working term.
Listen to practitioners talking to each other.

Answer 4

translation

Question 5

Lindsley discusses the difference between rate and frequency, while both can mean a number per unit of time. He provides the following reasons in helping us select our terminology:

_____ is most accurate because it has a narrowest set of alternative meanings.

_____ is less accurate because it has several meanings that do not have anything to do with how frequent something is.

Answer 5

frequency
rate

Question 6

Because they help a person remember steps to a sequence, help us remember lists of features, can help name a procedure, and help make procedures clearer in application, Lindsley promotes the use of ________.

Answer 6

acronyms

Question 7

Which of the following reasons does Lindsley provide for promoting the use of letter codes?

Letter codes spell words that are easy to remember.

Letter codes are easy to update as technology advances.

Letter codes help practitioners use and recall complex relationships.

Letter codes are cost effective.

Answer 7

Letter codes help practitioners use and recall complex relationships.

Question 8

While discussing application analogies, Lindsley provides the following examples:

_______: Punishment sandwiched between two reinforcers.

________: A single-minute interval of a learner’s performance within Precision Teaching.

Answer 8

sandwich
snap-shot

Question 9

Which of the following can be assessed by application tests to help practitioners make difficult decisions?

(Select all that apply)

behaviors
the results or outcomes of behaviors
the forms of behaviors
frequency of behaviors

Answer 9

behaviors
the results or outcomes of behaviors
the forms of behaviors

Question 10

Lindsley outlines the following examples in order to address problems of applying
_______ in practical settings:

application words
acronyms
letter codes
simple tests

Answer 10

technology