Learning Principles and Behavioral Analysis

Attitudes of Science

Determinism, Empiricism, Experimentation, Replication, Parsimony, Philosophic doubt

Determinism

attitude of science, universe is a lawful, orderly place in which all phenomena occur as the result of other events

Empiricism

attitude of science, practice of objective observation – based on thorough description, systematic/repeated measurement, precise quantification

Experimentation

attitude of science to investigate possible existence of functional relation; carefully conducted comparison of some measure of the phenomenon of interest under 2+ diff conditions in which only one factor differs from one condition to another

Replication

attitude of science, needs to happen with same pattern of results to be convinced of findings → primary method to determine reliability/usefulness of findings

Parsimony

attitude of science, requires all simple, logical explanations for the phenomenon be ruled out (experimentally or conceptually) before complex/abstract explanations are considered

— Choose simplest explanation w fewest assumptions

— Fit findings within knowledge base

Philosophic Doubt

attitude of science, continually question truthfulness of what is regarded as fact, skepticism

7 Dimensions of ABA

Applied, Behavioral, Analytic, Technological, Conceptually systematic, Effective, Generalized outcomes

Applied

Dimensions of ABA, improvements in behaviors that enhance/improve lives (need to choose significant behaviors to change)

Behavioral

Dimensions of ABA, Must choose THE behavior in need of improvement + conduct studies OF behavior (observe, measure) + behavior = measurable + ask whose behavior has changed (observer vs experimenter vs subject)

Analytic

Dimensions of ABA, achieved once has demonstrated functional relation btw manipulated events and reliable change in a measurable dimension

— Need control over occurrence of behavior

— Not theorizing how behavior CAN work → describing how it HAS worked

Technological

Dimensions of ABA, procedures are identified/described w detail/clarity + allows for replication (esp w interventions)

Conceptually Systematic

Dimensions of ABA, procedures for changing behavior + interpretations of how/why those procedures were effective should be described in terms of the relevant principles from which they were derived

— Consumers can derive similar procedures AND conceptual systems = need if a technology is to become an integrated discipline

Effective

Dimensions of ABA, practically, enough to be socially/clinically important

— Pushes ppl to find interventions that produce large/consistent effects

— + do interventions produce noticeable changes in reasons those behaviors were chosen

Generalized Outcomes

Dimensions of ABA, lasts over time, appears in other environments, spreads to other behaviors not treated

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

The scientific study of behavior focused on understanding and improving socially significant behavior through systematic application of behavioral principles.

Behavior

Any observable and measurable action of an organism, including overt and covert actions such as thinking and feeling.

Learning

A relatively permanent change in behavior resulting from experience.

Response

A single instance of behavior.

Repertoire

The full range of behaviors an organism can emit.

Mentalism

An approach that explains behavior by referring to unobservable mental or inner processes.

Hypothetical Construct

An unobserved and unmeasurable concept assumed to exist, such as Freud’s id or ego.

Explanatory Fiction

A circular explanation for behavior that does not add scientific understanding (e.g., “the rat presses the lever because it knows food is coming”).

Behavior Analyst

A professional who focuses on observable behavior, environmental variables, and data-driven interventions to improve behavior.

BACB

Behavior Analyst Certification Board, the organization that certifies behavior analysts.

RBT

Registered Behavior Technician; an entry-level certification requiring training, competency assessment, and supervision.

BCABA

Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst; requires undergraduate coursework and supervision under a BCBA.

BCBA

Board Certified Behavior Analyst; requires a master’s degree, supervised experience, and passing an exam.

BCBA-D

Doctoral-level behavior analyst with additional postdoctoral training or publications.

Operational Definition

A precise, observable, and measurable definition of behavior including antecedents, behavior, and consequences.

Science

A systematic method of gaining knowledge through objective observation, experimentation, and replication.

Determinism

The assumption that behavior is lawful and influenced by identifiable variables.

Empiricism

Reliance on objective observation and measurable evidence.

Experimentation

Systematic manipulation of variables to identify functional relationships.

Replication

Repeating experimental procedures to verify reliability of findings.

Parsimony

Preference for the simplest explanation that accounts for the observed behavior.

Philosophic Doubt

Continuous questioning of knowledge claims and openness to new evidence.

Functional Relation

A reliable relationship where changes in behavior are produced by manipulation of environmental variables.

Independent Variable

The variable manipulated by the experimenter.

Dependent Variable

The behavior measured in an experiment.

Correlation

A relationship between variables that does not establish causation.

Respondent Behavior

Behavior elicited by antecedent stimuli (reflexive behavior).

Operant Behavior

Behavior emitted by an organism and controlled by its consequences.

Respondent Conditioning

Learning in which a neutral stimulus is paired with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a response.

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

A stimulus that naturally elicits a reflexive response.

Unconditioned Response (UR)

A natural reflexive response to an unconditioned stimulus.

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

A stimulus that does not initially elicit a reflexive response.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that elicits a conditioned response after pairing with a US.

Conditioned Response (CR)

A learned response elicited by a conditioned stimulus.

Respondent Extinction

Repeated presentation of a CS without the US, resulting in a decrease in the CR.

Stimulus Generalization

A conditioned response elicited by stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus.

Stimulus Discrimination

When a response occurs to one stimulus but not others.

Conditioned Emotional Response (CER)

Emotional reactions elicited by conditioned stimuli, such as fear or anxiety.

Seven Dimensions of ABA (GETACAB)

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

Generality

Behavior change lasts over time and occurs across people, settings, and behaviors.

Effective

Behavior change is meaningful and socially significant.

Technological

Procedures are clearly defined and replicable.

Applied

Focused on improving socially significant behavior.

Conceptually Systematic

Interventions are based on behavioral principles.

Analytic

Demonstrates a functional relationship between variables.

Behavioral

Focuses on observable and measurable behavior.

Phylogeny

Behavior shaped by genetic and evolutionary history.

Ontogeny

Behavior shaped by learning and environmental experience.

Frequency

The number of times a behavior occurs.

Rate

Frequency measured over a specific time period.

Latency

Time between a stimulus and the onset of behavior.

Duration

How long a behavior lasts.

Magnitude (Force)

The intensity or strength of a behavior.

Locus

The location or context in which behavior occurs.

Topography

The physical form or appearance of behavior.

Inter-Response Time (IRT)

Time between consecutive responses.

Phobia

An intense, maladaptive fear response to specific stimuli.

Systematic Desensitization

Gradual exposure to feared stimuli paired with relaxation.

Counterconditioning

Pairing an anxiety-provoking stimulus with a competing response.

Reciprocal Inhibition

The process by which one response (e.g., relaxation) inhibits another (e.g., anxiety).

Flooding

Prolonged exposure to a feared stimulus at full intensity without avoidance.

SUDS

Subjective Units of Discomfort Scale ranging from 0 to 100.

John B. Watson

Founder of behaviorism who demonstrated that emotional responses can be learned.

Little Albert

A study demonstrating learned fear through respondent conditioning.

Mary Cover Jones

Pioneer of behavior therapy known for early desensitization research.

Joseph Wolpe

Developed systematic desensitization and reciprocal inhibition.