Section 1A: Philosophical Underpinnings

Question 1

What is ABA?

Answer 1

An evidence-based applied science

A science based on the use of learning principles to improve socially significant behavior
o Assessing environmental based influences on
behavior
o Assessment based intervention
o Data based decision making

Question 2

3 Levels of Scientific Understanding

Answer 2

1. Description
2. Prediction
3. Control

Question 3

Description

Answer 3

Helps identify hypothesis (quantifiable and classifiable description of behavior of interest)

Question 4

Prediction

Answer 4

Correlation or covary, consistent relationship between two events. Used to predict the relationship of 1 event occurring when the other event occurs (hypothesis)

Question 5

Control

Answer 5

Causation, a functional relationship is established when science confirms what has been predicted. Manipulating one event (IV) results in a change (DV – target behavior)

Question 6

Philosophical Assumptions

How many?

Answer 6

1. Determinism – the idea the world is an orderly and predictable a lawful place where everything is cause and effect. If then conditions. Everything happens because of other events
2. Empiricism – the act of object observation and measurement. Data based scientific approach. Detailed description of events
    Empiricism = evidence = data = facts
3. Parsimony – reliance on the simplest theory to explain things. We must fire rule out the simple and logical explanations
4. Pragmatism – practical approach to problem solving. (a philosophy how things come to be as they are and how can we alter things)
5. Selectionism – Selection by consequences. Anything that evolves does so due to the consequences of behavior. Behavior that results in positive consequences survive and produce more sophisticated repertories. Less positive consequences, less survival
6. 3 below no longer considered philosophical assumptions
7. Experimentation – controlled comparison of the independent variable under two or more conditions. Manipulating variables, assessment to see if one event causes another event (functional analysis)
8. Replication – repeating experiments to see reliability
9. Philosophical Doubt – healthy skeptics, always questioning, open to other options or explanations

Question 7

7 Dimensions of ABA

BATCAGE

Answer 7

1. Behavioral – target behavior in need of improvement, behavior must be measurable (objective), must ask whose behavior has changed?
2. Applied – improving socially significant behaviors in real world settings
3. Technological – creating direct and replicable procedures. Procedures are defined clearly and in detail. Anyone should be able to read the plan and know what to do.
4. Conceptually systematic – derived from the basic principles from behavior analysis (punishment, extinction, reinforcement)
5. Analytic – functional relationship is shown (when IV produce reliable change in any dimension of targeted behavior, and experimenter can control occurrence and nonoccurrence of behavior)
6. Generality – behavior changes that persist across time, settings, people, behaviors
7. Effective – practical improvement (measure change) in the target behavior (makes a socially significant difference in the person’s life)

Question 8

Mentalism (3)

Answer 8

Explains behavior through assumptions about the existence of an inner and mental dimension as cause of behavior

1. Hypothetical construct – presumed by unobserved process (free will, self-esteem, ego, intelligence, etc.)
2. Explanatory fiction – mythical explanations for behavior (no causes or what maintains behavior) knowing, wanting, etc.
3. Circular Reasoning – begins with what they are trying to end with. If A then B, if B then A

Question 9

4 Branches of Behavior Analysis

BEAP

Answer 9

1. Behaviorism – conceptual analysis of behavior. Involved the philosophy of the science of behavior.
    Environmental explanation of behavior
    Skinners radical behaviorism
2. Experimental analysis of behavior (EAB) – controlled settings, subjects can be human and nonhuman
    Skinner
3. Applied Behavior Analysis– applied research, access monitor, analyze effects of work
4. Professional Practice guided by the science of behavioral analysis – many individuals in various fields of work who implement ABA procedures within their professions

Question 10

1850-early 1900s

Answer 10

 Mentalism dominates psychology
 Ivan Pavlov – classical conditioning
* Responded conditioning with dogs

Question 11

1913

Answer 11

 John Broadus Watson (directly observable)
 Methodological behaviorism
 Watson was the first person to describe behaviorism as a formal system
 Methodological behaviorism only looks at publicly observable events, no concern with private events
* Little Albert

Question 12

1938 - 1990s

Answer 12

 B.F Skinner (private events)
 Radical behaviorism – included private events into the understanding of behavior
 Based it on:
* Darwinian selectionism – behavior leads to consequences which determine fate
* Pragmatism – A, B, because of C.

Question 13

How did Skinner come up with Radical Behaviorism?

Answer 13

1. Darwinian Selectionism (selection by consequences) - 3 term contingency in regards to species survival.
   * A believe that all forms of life evolve as a result of selction with respect to function
   * Ontogeny: selection by consequences
   * Phylogeny= natural selection in the evolutionary history of a species
2. Pragmatism: a probablistic AB-because-of-C philosophy
   * founded by Charles S. Pierce and William James
   * observable practicle consquences