Task list C Flashcards
Operational definition of behavior
What the behavior consists of.
Everything observed and measured is what can be seen.
Topography
The physical form or shape of a behavior
Partial interval recording
A time sampling method for measuring behavior in which the observation period is divided into a series of brief intervals
Whole interval recording
A measurement method in which the presence or absence of a behavior is recorded at precisely specified time periods
DRO
(Differential reinforcement of other behavior)
A procedure for decreasing problem behavior in which reinforcement is contingent on the absence of the problem behavior during or at specific times
DRA
(differential reinforcement of alternative behavior)
A procedure for decreasing problem behavior in which reinforcement is delivered for a behavior that serves as a desirable alternative for the behavior targeted for reduction
DRI
(differential reinforcement of incompatible behaviors)
A procedure for decreasing problem behavior in which reinforcement is delivered for a behavior that is topographically incompatible with the behavior targeted for reduction and withheld following instances of the problem behavior
DRD
A schedule of reinforcement in which reinforcement is provided at the end of a predetermined interval contingent on the number of responses emitted during the interval being fewer than a gradually decreasing criterion based on the individual’s performance in previous intervals
DRH
(differential reinforcement of high rate of behavior)
A schedule of reinforcement in which reinforcement is provided at the end of a predetermined interval contingent on the number of responses emitted during the interval being greater than a gradually increasing criterion based on the individual’s performance in previous intervals
DRL
(differential reinforcement of low rates of behavior)
A schedule of reinforcement in which reinforcement (a) follows each occurrence of the target behavior that is separated from the previous response by a minimum interresponse time (IRT), or (b) is contingent on the number of responses within a period of time not exceeding a predetermined criterion
Magnitude
AKA: strength; force; intensity; severity
The force or intensity with which a response is emitted; provides important quantitative parameters used in defining and verifying the occurrence of some response classes
Description
1st level of understanding
facts from systematically observed events:
can be quantified & classified to test for relationships
help identify a hypothesis
Prediction
AKA: Correlation
2nd level of understanding
when repeated observations shows that there is a consistant relationship b/w two events
Control
AKA: Causation
3rd level of understanding
functional relation is established
experimental demonstration that manipulates one event (IV) results in the change of another event (DV)
Determinism
the world is an orderly, predictable, & lawful place
everything is cause & effect
everything happens b/c of other events
Empiricism
the act of objective observation & measurement
data-based approach
objective observation & detailed description of events
Parsimony
Reliance on simplest theory requiring the fewest assumptions
you must rule out the simple explanation first
Pragmatism
truth found out through verification
goes w/ behaviorism
Selectionism
Selection by consequences
anything that evolves does so b/c consequences of behavior
ones with positive consequences survive
evolution due to functional selection
Experimentation
controlled comparison of the DV under two or more conditions (IVs)
requires manipulating variables
assessment to see if one event caused another
Functional Analysis
Replication
Repeating Experiments
Must have replication to determine reliability & usefulness of their findings
Philosophical Doubt
Question the truth
Have healthy skepticism
Behaviorism
AKA: conceptual analysis of behavior
examine the philosophical, theoretical, historical, & methodological issues w/in the science of behavior
today’s behaviorism = Skinner’s Radical Behaviorism
Experimental Analysis of Behavior
(EAB)
research on basic processes & principals & conducted mainly in labs
controlled settings
human & nonhuman subjects
Applied behavior analysis
(ABA)
analysts access, monitor, analyze, revise, & communicate the effects of their work
create behavior change tactics that can increase bx, teach, & maintain behavior, reduce challenging bx
creates technology for improving bx
Professional Practice *****
implementing ABA procedures w/in their professions
Darwinian Selectionism
AKA: selection by consequence
three term contingency
evolution as a result of selection w/ respect to function
Ontogeny
selection by consequences operates during the lifetime of the individual
result in the best outcomes are selected & survive
more adaptive repertoires
Phylogeny
Natural selection in the evolutionary history of a species
Behavioral
target behavior that needs improving
must be measurable
ask whose behavior has changed
Applied
improve individuals’ everyday lives
improves socially significant behavior
helps significant others
Technological
Direct and precisely replicable procedures
everything is defined clearly & in detail so they’re replicable
Conceptually Systematic
All ABA procedures used should be derived from the basic principles of behavior analysis
Analytic
Functional relationship is shown
Manipulated events produce reliable change in any measurable dimension of the bx
experimenter can control the occurrence & nonoccurrence of the bx
Generality
any behavior that persists across time, settings, behaviors, and other people
Effective
Practical improvement
there should be a change on socially significant behavior
Occurrence
AKA: repeatability and percentage measures
Percentage
Frequency
Rate
Repeatability measures
AKA: countability; occurrence;
Event Recording
Acronym: CRC
Behavior is counted, # of times a behavior occurs
1. Count
2. Rate
3. Celeration
Count
AKA: frequency
The number of occurrences
Rate
The # of occurrences in a given period of time
Formula = count/time
only use for free operants (i.e. behaviors that have a discrete beginning and end and are free to occur at any time)
Celeration
hint: CelebRATE good TIMES!
changes in rate overtime
formula: count per unit of time/time or rate/time
Use: examine how rates of response change over time; measuring fluency
Derivative measures
2 types
A derivative measure of occurrence, derived from the dimensional qualities
1. percentage
2. Trials to criterion
Percentage
Considered an occurrence measurement
proportion or ratio formed by combining the same dimensional quantities
(e.g. count divided by count)
Trials to Criterion
Occurrence measurement
A measure of the # of response opportunities required to achieve a pre-specified level of performance criteria
May be measured as count, rate, duration, and latency
Temporal dimensions of behavior
(e.g. duration, latency, inter response time)
Measures behavior using timing 1. Temporal extent:
Duration
2.Temporal Locus
Latency
IRT
Duration
AKA: Temporal extent
Length of time the behavior occurs from onset to offset
Latency
AKA: response latency
Duration of time between the onset of a stimulus and initiation of a behavior
Definitional measures (2)
Topography
Magnitude
Interresponse Time (IRT)
Duration of time that elapses between 2 consecutive instances of behavior
