SPCE 611 Exam 1 Questions and Answers Graded A

SPCE 611 Exam 1 Questions and Answers Graded A Description The level of investigation that involves the collection of facts about observed events that can be quantified, classified, and examined for possible relations with other known facts, and often suggests hypotheses or questions for additional research. P. 3 Prediction The level of investigation that demonstrates correlation between events and is based on repeated observations. P. 3 Control The level of investigation in which functional relations can be derived. P. 4 Overall Goal of Science To achieve a thorough understanding of the phenomenon under study. P. 3 Functional Relation Specific change in the dependent variable can reliably be produced by specific manipulations in the independent variable, and the change in the dependent variable was unlikely to be the result of confounding variables. P. 4 Determinism This is the assumption upon which science is predicated, the idea that the universe is a lawful and orderly place in which all phenomena occur as the result of other events. P. 5 Empiricism The practice of objective observation of the phenomena of interest; objective observations are "independent of the individual prejudices, tastes, and private opinions of the scientist... Results of empirical methods are objective in that they are open to anyone's observation and do not depend on the subjective belief of the individual scientist" P. 5 Experiment A carefully conducted comparison of some measure of the phenomenon of interest (the dependent variable) under two or more different conditions in which only one factor at a time (the independent variable) differs from one condition to another. P. 6 Experimental analysis of behavior This is the branch of behavior analysis that focuses on basic research. P.11 Replication The repeating of experiments to determine the reliability and usefulness of findings. Includes the repetition of independent variable conditions within experiments. Method for which mistakes are discovered P. 6 Parsimony This is the idea that simple, logical explanations must be ruled out, experimentally or conceptually, before more complex or abstract explanations are considered. P.6 Philosophic Doubt Requires the scientist to continually question the truthfulness of what is regarded as fact. P. 6 Science A systematic approach to the understanding of natural phenomena--as evidenced by description, prediction, and control---that relies on determinism as its fundamental assumption, empiricism as its prime directive, experimentation as its basic strategy, replication as its necessary requirement for believably, parsimony as its conservative value, and philosophic doubt as its guiding conscience. Behaviorism The philosophy of a science of behavior. P. 7 Three-term contingency The S-R-S model of psychology. P. 10 Operant Behavior Behaviors is shaped through the consequence that immediately follow it. P. 10 B. F. Skinner This person is considered to be the founder of experimental analysis of behavior. Hypothetical Constructs A presumed but unobserved process or entity. P. 10 Experimental Analysis of Behavior (EAB) A natural science approach to the study of behavior as a subject matter in its own right founded by B. F. Skinner; methodological features include rate of response as a basic dependent variable, repeated or continuous measurement of clearly defined response classes, within-subject experimental comparisons instead of group design, visual analysis of graphed data instead of statistical inference, and an emphasis on describing functional relations between behavior and controlling variables in the environment over formal theory testing. P. 11 Mentalism This is the approach to understanding behavior that assumes that a mental or "inner" dimension exists that differs from a behavioral dimension and that phenomena in this dimension either directly cause or at least mediate some forms of behavior. P. 12 Explanatory Fictions A fictitious variable that often is simply another name for the observed behavior that contributes nothing to an unmaintaining the behavior. P. 12 The Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis began publication and "Some Current Dimensions of Applied Behavior Analysis," by Baer, Wolf, and Risley, was published. These events marked the formal beginning of contemporary applied behavior analysis. Applied This is the defining characteristic of behavior analysis that focuses on investigating socially significant behaviors with immediate importance to the participant(s). Analytic This is the defining characteristic of applied behavior analysis that demonstrates experimental control over the occurrence and non-occurrence of the behavior. The environment The controlling variables of primary importance in applied behavior analysis are located in Respondent and operant behavior Two functionally distinct types of behavior important to behavior analysis include Temporal Locus Is considered a property of behavior amenable to measurement Repertoire Denotes a set or collection of knowledge and skills a person has learned that are relevant to particular settings or tasks. Antecedent Environmental conditions or stimulus changes that exist or occur prior to the behavior of interest. Respondent A behavior that is elicited by antecedent stimuli and is "brought about" by a stimulus that precedes it is: Reinforcement A response is followed by a stimulus change, the effect of which is an increase in the future frequency of behavior. Which type of stimulus-change operation most likely occurred? Punishment A response is followed by a stimulus change, the effect of which is a decrease in the future frequency of behavior. Which type of stimulus-change operation most likely occurred? Unconditioned; conditioned Water is an example of a ______ reinforcer, while money is an example of a _______ reinforcer. Stimulus Control Answering the door when you hear the door bell and not when it is silent is an example of behavior being under: Discriminated Operant A behavior that occurs more frequently under some antecedent conditions than it does in others is called a(n): Motivating Operation Food deprivation may alter the momentary effectiveness of food as a reinforcer. Food deprivation is an example of a(n): Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence The three-term contingency is made of these three terms: Temporal The term "contingent" as used in behavior analysis refers to the dependent relationship of a particular consequence on the occurrence of behavior and is also used in reference to the _________ contiguity of behavior and its consequences. Respondent _______ behavior is elicited by antecedent stimuli. Reflexes Conditioned _______ are the product of respondent conditioning. Consequences Operant behavior is selected by its: Reinforcement and punishment Operant conditioning encompasses: Direct observation; Interview; Checklists Assessment methods used in applied behavior analysis Function Behavior assessment seeks to determine the ______ of a behavior. Knowledge of socially important behavior; Technical skills; Ability to match assessment data with intervention strategies Competencies of a behavior analyst Benefit of others Potential target behaviors should not be selected if the primary reason for selection is the: Mentalistic Interview questions should avoid "why" questions because these tend to encourage _______ explanations of behavior. Anecdotal observation A descriptive and temporally sequenced account of behavior in the natural environment is called a(n): Relevance The ________ of behavior rule states that a target behavior should only be selected when it can be determined that the behavior will produce natural reinforcement. Habilitation The principle of ________ determines the degree to which a person's behavior repertoire maximizes short and long term reinforcers for that individual and for others, and minimizes short and long term punishers. Behavior Cusp Behavior that exposes an individual to new contingencies, reinforcers, and stimulus controls is called: Replacement behavior When a problem behavior has been targeted for reduction or elimination, the behavior analyst must always include a(n) ________ in the intervention plan. Bolting from the playground Juan is a six-year-old boy with a developmental disability who attends an integrated kindergarten class. Assessments have identified four target behaviors. Which behavior should be the first target for intervention? Research on changing this behavior Experience of the behavior analystAvailable resources In determining the likelihood of success in changing a behavior, all of the following should be considered Replication by other scientists Accurate and reliable measurement of behavior Comparison of data across studies Explicit behavior definitions are important in research of applied behavior analysis for all of the following except: Function-based A(n) ________ definition designates responses in terms of their effect on the environment. Social validity Behaviors have ________ if they affect a person's life in a positive and meaningful manner. To establish the target performance level To know when to terminate intervention To ensure agreement on outcomes among stakeholders Outcome criteria should be established before intervention commences for all of the following reasons : Unambiguous In order to be understood by everyone, measurement units must be: Identify current behavior levels; Evaluate treatment; Make accurate decisions Practitioners need measurement in order to do Temporal extent The dimensional quantity of duration is described as Rate _________ is obtained by combining observation time with a tally of the number of occurrences of behavior. All of the following are procedures for measuring behavior Event recording Timing Time sampling Event Devices such as wrist counters, masking tape, buttons, and calculators are all useful when using ________ recording procedures. Permanent product The procedure that measures behavior after it has occurred by measuring its effect on the environment is called: Moment-to-moment decisions must be made Which of the following is a reason not to use permanent product measurement? Data can be clustered and analyzed easily One advantage of using computer-based observation and measurement systems is Record multiple behaviors simultaneously; Aggregate data easily; Analyze data from different perspectives Computer-assisted measurement of behavior allows the observer to do all of the following Duration You are preparing to observe Jennifer, a second grade student who has difficulty following teacher direction and frequently wanders around the classroom. The target behavior for Jennifer is being out of her seat. What is the most appropriate method for measuring this target behavior? Permanent Product Marco is learning to assemble computer components as part of his new job at a factory. Speed and accuracy are critical skills for him to learn in assembling his component. What is the most appropriate method for measuring his behavior? Methodological behaviorism A philosophical position that views behavioral events that cannot be publicly observed as outside the realm of science. Radical Behaviorism A thoroughgoing form of behaviorism that attempts to understand all human behavior, including private events such as thoughts and feelings, in terms of controlling variables in the history of the person (ontogenty) and the species (phylogeny).