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Philosophical Assumptions
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Capella University
PSY5260 Philosophical Foundations of Behaviorism
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Philosophical Assumptions
The study of behavior uses an evidence-based approach to understand and modify
behavior through Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). At the base of ABA lie Philosophical
Assumptions that steer the scientific framework. Cooper et al. (2019) portray that behavior
analysts utilize these presumptions to inform their principles and practices. This paper will
define seven philosophical assumptions, and their importance to scientific inquiry, and provide
an example of each.
Philosophical Assumptions Grid
Philosophical Assumption Definition and Importance to Example
Scientific Inquiry
, Selectionism Definition: Actions are chosen A child is more likely to clean
based on their effects. Because up their room when they know
of their past consequence, they will get praised from their
some behaviors have a higher parents.
likelihood of happening.
Importance for Scientific
Research: Contributes to our
understanding of how rewards
and penalties affect behavior.
Determinism Definition: Every occurrence A child will sit and do DTT
has a cause and happens in a because they know they will
predicable way. The causes are get a playtime after.
identifiable.
Importance for Scientific
Research: Makes it possible to
pinpoint the variables affecting
behavior, which improves
control and predictability.
Empiricism Definition: Direct observation A BCBA gathers observable
and measurement are the data (frequency and duration)
sources of knowledge. on a child’s property
Importance to Scientific destruction behavior to
Research: Encourages determine the efficacy of the
dependence on quantifiable, interventions implemented.
Philosophical Assumptions
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Capella University
PSY5260 Philosophical Foundations of Behaviorism
2
Philosophical Assumptions
The study of behavior uses an evidence-based approach to understand and modify
behavior through Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). At the base of ABA lie Philosophical
Assumptions that steer the scientific framework. Cooper et al. (2019) portray that behavior
analysts utilize these presumptions to inform their principles and practices. This paper will
define seven philosophical assumptions, and their importance to scientific inquiry, and provide
an example of each.
Philosophical Assumptions Grid
Philosophical Assumption Definition and Importance to Example
Scientific Inquiry
, Selectionism Definition: Actions are chosen A child is more likely to clean
based on their effects. Because up their room when they know
of their past consequence, they will get praised from their
some behaviors have a higher parents.
likelihood of happening.
Importance for Scientific
Research: Contributes to our
understanding of how rewards
and penalties affect behavior.
Determinism Definition: Every occurrence A child will sit and do DTT
has a cause and happens in a because they know they will
predicable way. The causes are get a playtime after.
identifiable.
Importance for Scientific
Research: Makes it possible to
pinpoint the variables affecting
behavior, which improves
control and predictability.
Empiricism Definition: Direct observation A BCBA gathers observable
and measurement are the data (frequency and duration)
sources of knowledge. on a child’s property
Importance to Scientific destruction behavior to
Research: Encourages determine the efficacy of the
dependence on quantifiable, interventions implemented.
