Traditional Behaviorism : An Objective Sub Division Of Psychology

Development of an intervention is the final step in the functional behavior assessment (FBA) process. In the completion of the FBA antecedent and reinforcing contingencies are identified which can be manipulated to prevent the behavior from occurring, remove reinforcement for engaging in the undesired behavior, or be utilized to reinforce alternate behaviors (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007). An FBA is a necessary component of the intervention process in that it provides the necessary information with regard to the function of the behavior through the systematic manipulation of environmental variables thought to maintain the problem under controlled conditions; yielding a clear demonstration of the interaction between the independent variable

The basic assumption of the behaviourist approach is that all behaviour is learned through experiences a person has in their environment. From this we know that behaviourists are on the side of nature in the “nature vs. nurture” debate. In comparison bio psychologists will be firmly on the side of nurture.

Content area I: Assessment, includes the task list items I-02: Define environmental variables in observable and measurable terms and I-04: Design and implement the full range of functional assessment procedures (Behavior Analyst Certification Board, 2012). My submission for this content area is the Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA), which was completed in SPE 568. This artifact demonstrates how to use measurable and observable terms to define environmental variables, and effectively design FBA procedures.

The major advantage of functional behavioral assessment is that it looks beyond all the unsuitable behaviors themselves. In fact, the focus of this test is to classify the social and environmental factors that are responsible for causing certain behaviors. This wide perspective offers a deeper insight of the reason behind a person’s behavior. Hence, a functional behavioral assessment helps in explain the reasons why someone behaves badly, which is very helpful when dealing with various problematic behaviors.

When a student who has a disability’s educational placement is changed due to challenging behavior, a functional behavior assessment must be conducted. Functional behavior assessment (FBA) is used to aid in the development of behavior intervention plans (BIP’s). In a functional assessment, the type and the source of reinforcement for problem behaviors are used as a basis for intervention efforts that are designed to increase occurrence. Functional analysis can also be used to determine the specific function of a behavior, but FBA’s are more commonly used, especially in school settings. In a functional analysis (FA), antecedents and consequences that represent those in the person’s natural environment are arranged so that their effects on the problem behavior can be observed and measured. The difference between a functional analysis and functional behavior assessment is that the assessment establishes a connection between the behavior and antecedent or the consequent variables, but a functional analysis identifies informal relationships. For this reason, a functional analysis is seen to be a more valid tool for identifying the function of a behavior; however, there are limitations to using a functional analysis. This method may momentarily strengthen the problem behavior or result in the behavior acquiring new functions. Federal mandates like IDEA 2004 and school reforms such as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) have played a role in the increase of the

The behaviourists are a school of psychology that believe that behaviour is learned. The behaviourists don’t believe that people have the innate desire to act in a certain way. They think we are born as a blank sheet that is then developed by life experiences. As we develop interactions and life lessons mould us into the person who we become. Behaviourists do not believe that behaviour has any contribution from biology. They dismiss that our biology is a decisive factor in who we are and believe that the idea is nonsense and therefore do not consider this.

In this paper I will discuss the impact that applied and behaviorist psychology has had on the field of psychology. J. R. Angell at the University of Chicago is possibly one of the most advanced of the functional psychologists, predicted that American psychology was prepared for better objectivity. In 1910, he stated that it is possible that the term consciousness would more than likely vanish from psychology, even more than the term soul had vanished (p. 209).

People are quick to make judgements about others without knowing what that person has been through. Regardless of how a person acts, he will be judged either in a positive or negative way. Behavior is something that characterizes us as humans. I believe that as humans we have the capability to change our behavior. I support the theories made by behaviorists. Nobody is born knowing, we all have to experience in order to learn. In other words, we have to go through the process of trial and error in order to understand the consequences of our actions. Consequences are not always bad; sometimes there are positive outcomes to a consequence. The word “consequence” simply implies that there will be a result or an outcome from your actions. People’s

Applied behaviourism an educational settings, it implies the most successful in areas where there is a correct response or easily memorized materials. If I looked at through the lens of behavioural analysis in context of my working environment, it seems that what happens in the classroom (between students themselves as well as between teacher and students,) reinforces some aspect of behaviour i.e. giving thanks to students, for their contribution to classroom discussions, that will encourage more discussion points to be raised (reinforced). This method typically rely heavily on the use of positive reinforcements such as verbal praise, good grades, and prizes, which have been seen in the classroom when the students had been completed their

According to Ciccarelli and White (2010), behaviorism is the science of behavior that focuses on observable behavior only. An example of this is the environment a person is exposed to determines their behavior affecting their personality (McLeod, 2007). Furthermore, personality determines a person’s motivations and goals in life. With this said, this theory assist in better understanding interactions with people every day. For instance, all people have their own unique personalities, motivations, and goals. Through this perspective, knowing information about people can help interactions with others. In order to understand the behaviorism perspective approach to life, one must consider their own personality, their motivations and goals, how this theory helps understand others, others personalities, motivations, and goals, and lastly how knowing information about people can help interactions.

Behaviorism has been credited with providing clear predictions that can be scientifically tested and yield explanations that can be supported by evidence. For instance, in the application of Applied Behavioral Analysis in improving clients’ behaviors, the functions of individuals problematic behaviors can be evaluated and modified using behavior change principles including reinforcement. Similarly, behaviorism emphasizes the objective measurement of behaviors through providing clear and conceptual definitions, and its therapy is applicable to real life situations as in the case of anxiety. Conversely, studies incorporated into behaviorism allow for appropriate comparisons between animals and humans as in the Case of Watson’s, Thorndike’s and Pavlov’s studies respectively.

Although Watson was not the first to suggest an empirical and objective approach to psychological research he was the first to offer a coherent and organized program, and is often viewed as the catalyst for behaviorism, especially among American psychologists (Bewsbury, 2013). Perhaps the most famous behaviorist is B.F. Skinner (b.1904-d.1990). Skinner’s approach almost completely disregarded anything outside of observable behaviors, and his strict approach to looking at anything other than observable behaviors resulted in the development of the term radical behaviorism (Feist et al., 2013).

Examples: The ringing of the school bell stimulates the responses of children as to go back to the class and recess time

The term behaviorism referred to the school of psychology founded by John B. Watson based on the proposition that all things which organisms do — including acting, thinking and feeling—can and should be regarded as behaviors (Staddon, 2001) . And this behavior could be researched scientifically . According to Pavlov, "Respondent Conditioning” resulted from the association of two stimuli, such as causing dogs to salivate at the sound a tuning fork. Consequently, Skinner developed “Operant Conditioning” where the “Stimulus-Response” association was elicited through selective reinforcement (rewards or punishments) to shape behavior. In this regard, behaviorism assumed that a learner was a passive recipient and responding to environmental stimuli. When applying the tenets of Behaviorism to teaching, Skinner asserted that the learner started off as a blank slate, and then his behavior was shaped via positive or negative reinforcement. Behaviorist

My psychologist has produced a very accurate analysis of myself. It captured the thing that drives a great deal of my behavior. It influences my actions subconsciously and helps get me be the terrific person that I am today. My assessment shows how generous I am. I give freely of my time and my possessions, and no jobs are too big for me to help with sharing comes naturally for me. My assessment also shows my behavior reveals that I’m a loving individual. I always want the best for people and depart out of my way to do little special things for them by nature I am a giver. I choose behaviorism theory because I’m more intimate with this theory, it’s the most theory that I will have to deal with more when I began the job that I am