Applied Behavior Analysis
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So how do we come to change behavior? First, we must understand how behavior functions within the environment and what procedures are most appropriate to implement in order to bring about meaningful behavior change. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a science-based approach that promotes socially significant behavior change by examining the procedures and principles of behavior and altering relevant environmental variables. This methodology is influenced by the philosophy of behaviorism and is based off of experimental analyses that attempt to explain the functional relations between behavior and environmental stimuli.The analyses conducted involve directly observing the behavior, recording what happens before and after the behavior, analyzing the rate of behavior and how it changes according to consequences provided, determining agreement of findings against other
observer's results, and creating procedures to replicate changes in rates across other settings and populations. ABA has certain characteristics that it adheres to in order to ensure that all decisions regarding behavior change are ethical and appropriate; these dimensions are applied, behavioral, analytic, conceptual, technological, effective, generalizable (Baer, Wolf, & Risley 1987). Although ABA is utilized highly in autism therapy, animal training, and education, it can be very relevant in organizational settings; some common examples include increasing safety behavior of hospital staff (Cunningham & Austin, 2007), improving customer service (Rice, Austin & Gravina, 2009), increasing accuracy of checklist completion (Rantz, Dickinson, Sinclair & Van Houten, 2009), and reducing elevator energy use (Van Houten, Nau, & Merrigan, 1981). If there is behavior involved, ABA can be a guiding science to promote behavior change.
observer's results, and creating procedures to replicate changes in rates across other settings and populations. ABA has certain characteristics that it adheres to in order to ensure that all decisions regarding behavior change are ethical and appropriate; these dimensions are applied, behavioral, analytic, conceptual, technological, effective, generalizable (Baer, Wolf, & Risley 1987). Although ABA is utilized highly in autism therapy, animal training, and education, it can be very relevant in organizational settings; some common examples include increasing safety behavior of hospital staff (Cunningham & Austin, 2007), improving customer service (Rice, Austin & Gravina, 2009), increasing accuracy of checklist completion (Rantz, Dickinson, Sinclair & Van Houten, 2009), and reducing elevator energy use (Van Houten, Nau, & Merrigan, 1981). If there is behavior involved, ABA can be a guiding science to promote behavior change.