Lecture 1-Introduction To B-mod Pt.1

Question 1

Overt Behaviour

Answer 1

• objectively measurable

- e.g. verbal or motor

Question 2

Covert behaviour

Answer 2

• not observable by others
• may be inferred by overt behaviour
• commonly called private events

E.g. thoughts, feelings

Question 3

Target behaviour

Answer 3

Behaviour to be modified

Question 4

Response

Answer 4

One instance or occurrence of a behaviour

Question 5

Response class

Answer 5

• A group of responses with the same function

- each response in the group produces the same effect on the environment

Question 6

Repertoire

Answer 6

The collection of all behaviours a person can perform

Question 7

Behaviour is not _______

Answer 7

• interpretive descriptions of a personality trait (e.g. honest, introverted)
• diagnostic label (e.g. depression)
• products of behaviour (e.g. weight loss)

Question 8

Dead man test

Answer 8

• Ogden Lindsley 1965

- if a dead man can do it then it isn’t behaviour, and if a dead man can’t do it, it is behaviour

Question 9

How do behaviours and the environment interact?

Answer 9

• the environment can lead to certain behaviours
• behaviour can affect one’s environment
• environmental consequences of a behaviour can affect subsequent behaviours

Question 10

Psychology

Answer 10

Scientific study of human behaviour (and mental processing)

Question 11

Three aspects of psychology

Answer 11

1. Theoretical: conceptual thinking done at a computer, desk or in an office
2. Experimental: basic research, often with animals in a lab
3. Applied: practical research and treatments to solve a problem, usually on people, in the real world

Question 12

Three branches of the scientific study of learning:

Answer 12

1. Behaviourist : philosophy of the science of behaviour
2. Experimental Analysis of Behaviour (EAB or behaviour analysis): basic scientific research on the functional relationship between environmental events and resulting behaviour
3. Behaviour modification: the application of experimentally derived laws of learning to human behaviour

Question 13

Behaviour modification involves

Answer 13

• analyzing the relationship between environment and behaviour
• changing the environment to help people modify their behaviour
• applied to reach the goal of improving people’s lives

Question 14

Characteristics of behaviour modification

Answer 14

1. Defines problems in terms of measurable behaviours
2. Solutions are evaluated in terms of those same behaviours
3. treatments work by affecting the individual’s environment, comprised of stimuli: things perceptible in one’s immediate environment
4. All aspects are defined specifically, and in detail
5. Can be applied by non professionals
6. Based on scientific study of learning, and based on two kinds of conditioning (respondents and operant)
7. Emphasizes scientific evidence in evaluating the effectiveness of an intervention
8. Does not rely on hypothetical constructs: theoretical concept that mediate behaviour
9. Places high importance on accountability for everyone experiencing, administering and overseeing treatment programs

Question 15

Myths and misconceptions about behaviour mod

Answer 15

1. Using rewards is bribery (our behaviours persists because they are reinforced)
2. Ignores the root causes of behaviour, and just treats the symptoms (antecedent causes are important; further root causes cannot always be determined though)
3. Does not deal with thoughts or feelings-just behaviours (B-mod can be applied to cognitions or affect)
4. Can be applied to simple problems, but not to complex ones (works with all kinds of problem behaviours)
5. Makes people dependent on external incentives; ruins intrinsic motivation (well designed programs ensure maintenance of behaviour)
6. Treatment methods are dehumanizing (there are strict ethical controls to prevent abuse)