Behaviorism and Philosophical Foundations

Identify and define behavior accurately and objectively.

Provide clear and precise descriptions of behavior that are measurable and observable.

Description

identify the circumstances or events that are associated with the occurrence of behavior.

aim to determine the antecedents (events that precede behavior) and consequences (events that follow behavior)

anticipating when and where certain behaviors are likely to occur.

Prediction

develop interventions that can effectively influence or modify behavior.

Understand environmental factors that influence behavior and utilize this knowledge to implement strategies that bring about desired changes in behavior.

Control

lawful and predictable, shaped by environmental events in a cause-and-effect relationship.

Recognize that the client’s behavior occurs for a reason, guiding the functional assessment

Determinism

Behavior evolves and persists through reinforcement and environmental consequences.

Acknowledge that behavior is shaped and maintained by reinforcement and punishment over time.

Selectionism

Emphasizes objective observation and systematic measurement of behavior.

Observe and document the behavior objectively through direct observation and measurement tools.

Empiricism

Involves systematically manipulating variables to determine their effects on behavior

Manipulate variables systematically to determine effective strategies.

Experimentation

Focus on practical solutions that improve meaningful, real-world outcomes.

Apply interventions that are practical, socially significant, and produce meaningful outcomes.

Pragmatism

Conducting studies multiple times to verify the reliability and generalizability of findings.

Repeat successful interventions to ensure reliability and consistency.

Replication

Focus on the simplest explanation that fits the observed data.

Parsimony

Question and revise conclusions or strategies based on new data or observations.

Philosophical Doubt

Radical behaviorism

B.F Skinner indicates that private events should be understood in a behavioral lens shaped by the environment.

Classical Conditioning

Also known as Stimulus-Response Behaviorism, S-R psychology, respondent conditioning

Ivan Pavlov

Methodological Behaviorism

introduced in 1913, looks at public observable events; does not look at private events

influenced by Pavlov

John B. Watson (Father of Behaviorism)

Behaviorism

The branch of behavior analysis that is the philosophical, historical and methodological issues within the science of behavior. Understanding that behavior is through environmental influences and the principles of reinforcement, conditioning, and punishment consequences in the environment.
Contrasts with mentalism, today's behaviorism is B.F Skinner's radical behaviorism.

Experimental analysis of behavior

The branch of behavior analysis involves research, basic principles, and experiments focusing on functional relationships rather than applied uses.

Applied Behavior Analysis

The branch of behavior analysis involves applied research from EAB, understanding and changing behavior systematically, understanding environmental factors that influence a person's actions and the goal of improving socially significant behaviors.
Ex. Real life settings, application, and social significance.

Professional practice guided by behavior analysis

The branch of behavior analysis that involves the delivery of professional services informed by behavior analysis, including supervision of ABA practitioners.

how the environment changes an individual over their lifetime.

Ontogeny

the evolution of a species, including the inheritance of survival tactics.

• Darwinism (survival of the fittest).

• Behavior is either reinforced or placed on extinction based on an individual’s experience with the world and the consequences.

Phylogeny

BATCAGE

7 Dimensions of ABA

Behavioral, Applied, Technological, Conceptually Systematic, Analytic, Generality, Effective

Observable and measurable behavior, focus on what the individual does rather than internal states.

Target behaviors should be those in need of improvement.

Behavioral

Behavioral

- Intake & Assessment: Use objective measures (e.g., frequency, duration) to define behaviors.

- Intervention Planning: Write operational definitions for behaviors.

- Ongoing Therapy: Collect data and make decisions based on measurable outcomes.

Choosing socially significant and meaningful behaviors in real-world contexts.

Applied

Applied

- Intake & Assessment: Identify socially significant goals (e.g., communication, daily living skills).

- Intervention Planning: Prioritize goals that improve quality of life.

- Discharge: Ensure skills are practical and beneficial across settings (e.g., home, school)

Clearly describe procedures for replication.

can be REPLICATED

Technological

Technological

- Intervention Planning: Write detailed treatment plans and protocols.

- Therapist Training: Train staff and caregivers using step-by-step instructions.

- Discharge: Provide clear maintenance and generalization strategies.

Designing interventions in the principles of behavior analysis:

reinforcement, punishment, extinction

Conceptually Systematic

Conceptually Systematic

- Assessment: Align interventions with ABA principles like reinforcement and extinction.

- Intervention Planning: Ensure all strategies are rooted in behavioral theory.

- Collaboration: Educate caregivers on the scientific basis of interventions.

Functional relationship, causation, control between intervention and behavior change

Analytic

Analytic

- Assessment: Conduct FBAs to identify ABC relationships.

- Intervention: Use experimental designs (e.g., reversal, multiple baseline) to demonstrate intervention effects.

- Progress Monitoring: Analyze data trends to confirm effectiveness.

Behavior changes persist across time, settings, and people.

behavior change should withstand over time and different environments

Generality

Generality

- Intervention Planning: Plan for generalization by training in varied settings.

- Ongoing Therapy: Fade prompts and increase independence.

- Discharge: Develop maintenance plans for caregivers to sustain gains.

Whether or not behavior change was significant and meaningful in real-world settings

Effective

Effective

- Ongoing Therapy: Regularly review data to confirm progress.

- Stakeholder Feedback: Collaborate with caregivers to ensure interventions meet needs.

- Goal Mastery: Refine or discontinue ineffective interventions.