A. Behaviorism and Philosophical Foundations Flashcards
(23 cards)
Parsimony
-assumption that the simplest theory, requiring fewest assumptions, must be ruled out before considering more complex explanations
-fit findings into existing knowledge
Selectionism
-assumption that behavior evolves and is maintained by consequences
-behavior that is followed by reinforcement is more likely to be maintained
Pragmatism
-assumption that what is discovered in research is only useful when there are practical positive outcomes
-asks how things come to be
-if it works, don’t fix it
Behavioral
target behaviors are observable and measurable and clearly defined
Experimentation
manipulating variables (IV) to see their effects on the behavior (DV)
-Skinner attitude of science
Applied
improve socially significant behaviors in real-world settings
Effective
results in socially significant change and practical improvement
2 ideas Radical Behaviorism is based on
-Darwinian Selectionism
-Pragmatism
Genrality
behavior change that persists across time and different conditions
Philosophical Doubt
-continuously critical eye on the results of studies/work with clients
-healthy skeptic
-Skinner attitude of science
Replication
-one experiment is not enough
-repeat experiments to determine reliability
-science is self-correcting
-Skinner attitude of science
Determinism
-the assumption that the world is an orderly, predictable, and lawful place where all events occur as a result of cause and effect
-behavior is caused by environmental stimuli
Control
-3rd level of scientific understanding
-Experimental demonstration that manipulating one event results in change in another event
-establishes a function
Dimensions of ABA Article
-Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
-1968
-Baer, Wolf, and Risley
Prediction
-2nd level of scientific understanding
-examine data and make a hypothesis about function
-looking at antecedents and consequences
Methodological Behaviorism
acknowledges the existence of private events, but does not consider them in behavior analysis
Description
-1st level of scientific understanding
-describe facts derived from observing behavior
Mentalism
-Hypothetical Constructs - presumed process, inferred
-Explanatory Fiction - assumptions, they know this, they want that
-Circular Reasoning - circular view of cause and effect
Technological
procedures are defined clearly and in detail so they are replicable
Empiricism
-the assumption that knowledge is built on objective observation and measurement
-detailed description of events
-Evidence
Analytic
-when a functional relationship is shown
-experimental control
Conceptually Systematic
-procedures should be derived from the basic principles of behavior analysis
-punishment
-extinction
-reinforcement
Radical Behaviorism
-Skinner
-private events should be analyzed as well
-responses to private events can be public or private
