02 Definition and Characteristics / 02.06 Dimensions of ABA II

Question 1

“Conceptually systematic” means that
experimental control is demonstrated.
procedures are presented in an orderly manner, easily conceptualized.
procedures are described in terms of basic principles.
procedures are described in enough detail to enable replication.

Answer 1

procedures are described in terms of basic principles.

It is important to relate findings to their relevance to basic principles. This helps to build a technology and identify lawfulness, as opposed to a collection of loosely related tricks. (Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968; Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 1987, p. 6; Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007, p. 17)

Question 2

A technological description of a timeout procedure would include
what behavior, where, how long, what is said, how, etc.
what behavior, objective(s), criterion for meeting the objective.
specific and detailed description of the experimental design, etc.
why, relevant history, diagnosis.

Answer 2

what behavior, where, how long, what is said, how, etc.

A technological description includes all of the detailed information that a na�ve reader would need to do exactly what the author intended. (Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968; Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 1987, pp. 5-6; Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007, p. 17) For a timeout procedure, it would include what behavior triggers the timeout, where it is to occur, how long, what is said (and perhaps isn’t said), and other details.

Question 3

Generality is exemplified by treatment effects
occurring only after new procedures are implemented.
maintaining while the procedure remains in effect.
maintaining in general, but not completely.
maintaining when implemented by new staff.

Answer 3

maintaining when implemented by new staff.

According to Baer, Wolf, Risley (1968), generality of behavior change occurs when effects are maintained OVER TIME, ACROSS CONDITIONS (or environments), and to NEW BEHAVIORS. More recently, generality over time is referred to as maintenance and it is treated as a separate process. Effects maintaining when the environment is changed or different individuals are present would be generality across conditions. (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 1987, pp. 6-7; Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007, p. 18)

Question 4

A replicable (technological) procedure is likely to be
	applicable to a variety of situations.
	concise.
	conceptually systematic.
	specific and detailed.

Answer 4

specific and detailed.

Question 5

“Conceptually systematic” is exemplified when a process is described
in technical terms.
that explains how experimental control is achieved.
so that a na�ve reader could replicate it.
specifically and detailed.

Answer 5

technicall terms

Question 6

Which exemplifies the analytical dimension of applied behavior analysis?
a child learning to speak as the target behavior.
a demonstration of experimental control.
relevance of the behavioral measure.
a demonstration of reliability.

Answer 6

a demonstration of experimental control.

“Analytic” as a dimension of applied behavior analysis involves identifying a functional relationship between behavior and environmental events (i.e., experimental control). (Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968; Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 1987, p. 5; Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007, p. 17)

Question 7

Effective treatments must
	be efficient.
	result in a significant change in an important dimension of behavior.
	be cost effective.
	(all of the others)

Answer 7

all above

Question 8

“Technological” as a dimension of applied behavior analysis involves
(none of the others)
the use of technical, behavioral terminology to explain procedures.
complete and precisely described procedures.
the use of high technology in the analysis and interpretation of data.

Answer 8

complete and precisely described procedures.

Question 9

“Effective” as a dimension of applied behavior analysis is exemplified by
only a 5% chance that the null hypothesis is true.
everyone in the experimental group showing measurable improvement over everyone in the control group.
most in the experimental group going from 44 to 47 social initiations/day, compared to the control group that maintains at 44 initiations/day.
all in the experimental group acquiring a friend with whom they interact daily, compared to only a few people in the control group who achieve such friendships.

Answer 9

Acquiring a friend

An effective outcome is meaningful for the participant. Statistically significant effects are not necessarily clinically significant. For example, a 2% increase in social skills for everyone in an experimental group and no one in a control group may be statistically significant, but it does not have a meaningful change for anyone. Similarly, increasing one’s social initiations from 44 to 47 is not going to improve one’s quality of life. However, acquiring one friend when you have none is significant. (cf. Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968; Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 1987, p. 6; Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007, pp. 17-18)

Question 10

"Conceptually systematic" is exemplified when a process is described as
	cognitive restructuring.
	extinction.
	loss of motivation.
	increased interest.

Answer 10

Extinction

“Extinction” is a basic principle of applied behavior analysis.
“Cognitive restructuring” is a cognitive psychology term.
“Loss of motivation” and “increased interest” are lay expressions.
(cf. Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968; Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 1987, p. 6; Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007, p. 17)

Question 11

“Analytic” as a dimension of applied behavior analysis involves
identifying a functional relationship between behavior and environmental events.
identifying a functional relationship between behavior and collateral responses.
application of psycho-analysis to identify the relationship between behavior and environmental events.
focusing on the analytic behavior of the participant.

Answer 11

identifying a functional relationship between behavior and environmental events

Question 12

A behavior analyst being able to replicate a written description of a procedure meets the requirement of
	"technological."
	"reliability."
	"behavioral."
	"applied."

Answer 12

“technological.”

Question 13

Generality is evidenced by effective results of procedures implemented across
	individuals.
	procedural variations.
	settings.
	(all of the others)

Answer 13

All others

Question 14

"Effective" as a dimension of applied behavior analysis involves treatment effects that are
	permanent.
	statistically significant.
	clinically significant.
	(all of the others)

Answer 14

Clinical significant