Lecture 11: Behaviour Analysis Flashcards
What are behaviour analysists interested in and how can they help us?
Interested in behaviour change
Help us to understand WHY people engage in behaviour
How to change the environment to encourage more +ve behaviours
What does behaviour analysis assume?
People engage in a behaviour because the outcome improves things in some way
The improvement in the function of the behaviour e.g., function of drinking is thirst
How to change behaviour?
Consider why this behaviour should be changed? What is the benefit?
Identify the behaviour
Alter the environmental variables to make desirable behaviours more likely and behaviours less likely
What are moving operations (antecedents)?
a thing that existed before or logically precedes another
they make a consequence more reinforcing
they make it more likely that a person will do something to achieve that consequence
What is discriminative stimuli (SD) (antecedent)
Signal in the environment that a behaviour may result in a reinforcing consequence
e.g., Water glass and tap signals drinking behaviour
What is a reinforcer?
Consequences that make a behaviour more likely to happen again
They can be +ve and add something good or they can be -ve and remove something away that unwanted
What is a punisher?
Consequences that mean a behaviour is LESS likely to happen
Punishing consequences make things worse
They can be +ve and add something unwanted or they can be -ve and remove something away that wanted
What variables impact choice?
Rate of reinforcement
Quality of reinforcement
Amount of reinforcement
Delay to reinforcement
Response effort
History of Reinforcement e.g., a child who has experienced trauma may not respond well to a hard reinforcement as they may want to take control of the situation
Learning History
Deprivation State
What bad practice has been done in terms of behaviour analysis?
Conversion therapy
Electric shock to reduce SI behaviours
Reinforcing autistic children for masking
Punishing autistic children for stimming
A better understanding of behaviour has led to
carefully trained ethics
UK society for behaviour analysis statements on punishment
Condemn the use of procedures that are harmful, degrading, painful or dehumanizing
UKSBA has released statements regarding the issues with conversion therapy
What is behaviour modification versus behaviour analysis?
Behaviour modification: shaping behaviour via punishment/reinforcement but it can be controlling & unethical
Behaviour analysis: multidisciplinary & effective study of behavior
What is behaviour analysis?
Science of understanding behaviour
Value drivers practice seeking to change behaviours
Profession w/ rigorous training standards that is recognised by Professional Standards Authority
Training equips practitioners to lead ethical, value led and effective service
What are regulatory bodies in Wales for behaviour analysis?
ABA provision
Care Inspectorate
Social Care Institute for Excellence
Who is a behaviour analysist?
Board certified
Must take MSc course (delivered at different unis)
Significant professional development
What are the practitioner values?
Committed to understanding individuals, understanding behaviour & advancing the field
What is competence based vs traditional training?
Competence: a learning model in which the required level of knowledge and skill (competency) on a task must be demonstrated before advancing to the next task
Traditional: curriculum and knowledge based
What is behaviour analysis in maintained schools
Early Years Teaching in SEN schools
A curriculum for behaviour
Positive behaviour support
Behaviour analysists design programmes w/ teachers
Provided 1-1 teaching, function based behaviour plans
1-1 named members of staff for children
What did Pitts et al find?
Aim: reduce barriers to learning for individuals aged 4-13
collaborated with school‐based teaching teams to design and implement function‐based behaviour support plans, individual education programmes and ABA teaching strategies, and to promote the generalisation of skills
Pupils were assessed at baseline and again following one academic year of intervention– demonstrated significant gains in learning skills, language and communication, social and play skills and self‐help
BI in food acceptance behaviours
% of spoon presentations that Liam accepted increased and eating began
Priorities of behaviour analysis
Understand the learner
Identify what is important to them & they can communicate
Help arrange the environment so they can succeed
Teach the skills for independence
What is key stage 1 behavioural assessment unit?
Assessment unit in mainstream school & return to mainstream every Friday
Supported by behaviour analysists
Identify skill deficits in emotional regulation, self-management, academics
What did Dr. Millie Blandford-Elliot, BCBA-D find about restraints?
no. of restraints decreased dramatically when intervention was implemented
What is school based interventions?
Functional Assessment of Behaviour
Emphasis on skills on building
Antecedent & consequent interventions both used
Highly compatible with trauma informed practice
What is Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention
Creates an appropriate learning environment for children w/ learning disabilities and/or autistic children
Devote 20-40 hours per week 1:1 teaching
Teach basic skills
What is positive behaviour support?
An understanding of the behaviour of an individual
It is based on an assessment of the social. and physical environment in which the behaviour happens, includes the views of the individual
BUT it can be poorly regulated & an ABA rebrand
Recommended to reduce challenging behaviour in schools
What is behavioural gerentology?
Behavioral gerontology is the application of the principles of applied behavior analysis, including careful examination of the antecedents and consequences of behavior, in elderly patients and to address problems of aging
Relies on antecedent interventions
