Topic 1 - Intro to Bmod

• Behaviour is a simple action that can be objectively measurable, such as verbal (using language) or motor (using the body), or not observable by others, also called “private events”, such as thoughts and feelings.
• Target behaviour is the behaviour to be modified.
• Response is one instance or occurrence of a behaviour.
• Response class is a group of responses with the same function, producing the same effect on the environment (the same consequences).
• Behaviour repertoire is the collection of all behaviours a person can perform.
• Behaviour is not interpretive descriptions of a personality trait, such as honest or introverted, or diagnostic tests.
• Environmental influence of a behaviour can affect subsequent behaviours.
• Cluttered classrooms can affect students, for example, leading to more off-task behaviour and decreased learning.
• Psychology, in general, is the scientific study of human behaviour and mental processing.
• The scientific study of learning has three branches: philosophy of the science of behaviour, experimental analysis of behaviour, and behaviour modification.
• Practical research and treatments to solve a problem, usually on people, in the real world, are a part of scientific learning.
• Behaviour modification is applied to reach the goal of improving people’s lives.
• Behaviour modification includes analyzing the relationship between environment and behaviour and changing the environment to help people modify their behaviour.
• Conceptual thinking, done at a computer, at a desk, in an office, is a part of scientific learning.
• Behaviour modification emphasizes scientific evidence in evaluating the effectiveness of an intervention.
• Behaviour modification can be applied to all kinds of problem behaviours, including psychological disorders.
• Behaviour modification typically defines problems in terms of specific behaviours and evaluates solutions in terms of those same behaviours.
• Well-designed programs ensure maintenance of behaviour in behaviour modification.
• Behaviour modification can make people dependent on external reinforcement; it does not ruin intrinsic motivation.
• Behaviour modification places high importance on scientific evidence for everyone experiencing, administering, and overseeing treatment programs.
• Treatments work by affecting an individual’s environment, which is comprised of things perceptible in one’s immediate environment.
• Behaviour modification has gained new relevance in helping those with autism.
• Behaviour modification can be applied to simple problems, like toilet training, but not to complex ones, like low self-esteem.
• Using rewards is not a problem in behaviour modification, as our behaviours persist because they are reinforced, whether we realize it or not.
• All aspects of behaviour modification, including stimuli and behaviours, can be applied by non-professionals.
• Behaviour modification is based on the scientific study of learning, and the two kinds of operant and respondent.
• Ignoring the root causes of behaviour and just treating the antecedent causes is not a problem in behaviour modification, as antecedent causes are important; further root causes cannot always be determined anyway.
• Behaviour modification does not deal with thoughts or feelings--just behaviours.
• Treatment methods in behaviour modification are strictly controlled to prevent abuse.
• Behaviour modification does not rely on hypothetical constructs that mediate behaviour, such as personality traits.
• Experimental research, often with animals in a lab, is a part of scientific learning.
• Ivan Pavlov (b.1849-d.1936) is known for his work on Conditioned Reflexes, which state that conditioned behaviours are involuntary; elicited by stimuli that precede them, forming a reflex.
• Applications of behaviour analysis/cognitive behaviour therapies include autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and intellectual disability.
• Others consider the term “ABA” a replacement for the term “behaviour modification”.
• Psychology in the 19th century was the scientific study of conscious experience, for example, introspection of the conscious experience of tasting lemonade.
• B.F Skinner (b.1904-d.1990) awarded 1969 US National Medal of Science, developed operant behaviourism, the goal of which is to understand and explain all behaviour, including internal events.
• Still others see behaviour modification as a separate category that includes: ABA (which is seen as applying only principles of operant conditioning), application of respondent (Pavlovian) conditioning, behaviour therapy, and behaviour therapy (treatment carried out on dysfunctional or maladaptive behaviour and thinking).
• Some consider behaviour modification to be synonymous with applied behaviour analysis.
• The Association for Behavior Analysis was founded in 1974 and is now called Association for Behavior Analysis International, with over 6,500 members.
• Psychology in the 20th century is the science of observable behaviour.