Applied
In order to be applied, the behaviors that are targeted for change must be of significance to the participant and of other interested parties. ABA seeks to improve people's lives by enhancing certain behaviors (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007). Whenever we say that there is a "social problem" or an issue surrounding a particular individual or group of individuals' behavior, we must ultimately accept that, "social problems are essentially the behaviors of displaying or explaining problems-one's own or someone else's." (Baer, Wolf, & Risely, 1987). Thus, we must do an analysis of the environment and look at the arranged contingencies that may be perpetuating that behavior so that we can better understand how to, "apply effective stimulus control," (Baer, Wolf, & Risely 1987) and promote more productive behaviors in the workplace.
Therefore, we should ask:
Is the behavior that you want to change socially significant? Who determines the social significance and are they qualified for such a task?
Therefore, we should ask:
Is the behavior that you want to change socially significant? Who determines the social significance and are they qualified for such a task?
Behavioral
Obviously, ABA deals with behavior. However, the behavior that is targeted must actually be the one that needs to be improved, be measurable in quantifiable terms, and the change in behavior must come from the participant, not the observers (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007). Through the use of direct observation and recording methods, we can come to better understand the environment in which the behavior is occurring, as well as begin to see what sorts of arrangements increase or decrease the rate of the behavior. "The strength of this particular method is the modifiability of the observer's behavior...and the accessibility of the observer's behavior to direct and frequent reliability assessments." (Baer, Wolf, & Risely, 1987). Thus, by directly observing behavior, the observer is able to understand behavior better because he or she is able to discern which behavior should be targeted for change in comparison to other behaviors that are occurring. Also, the observer can compare observations to other observers' to verify that the results collaborate and confirm that everyone is observing the same sort of behavior.
Therefore, we should ask:
Are you actually changing behavior directly? Can you break the behavior down into vocabulary that allows for direct observation?
Therefore, we should ask:
Are you actually changing behavior directly? Can you break the behavior down into vocabulary that allows for direct observation?
Analytic
It is important in ABA to demonstrate how behavior change occurred and what variables were controlled. This allows our findings to be "believable" (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007). The science of applied behavior analysis must not only demonstrate what behavior changed, but also how and why it changed the way it did. The changes in behavior must be convincing, significant, and the methods responsible for the observed change must be systematic and make sense. (Baer, Wolf, & Risely, 1987).
Therefore, we should ask:
Can you show convincingly how the behavior changed? Do you know for sure what variables are associated with behavior change?
Example:
Therefore, we should ask:
Can you show convincingly how the behavior changed? Do you know for sure what variables are associated with behavior change?
Example:
Conceptual
Every application of ABA has a foundation within the principles of behavior. Thus, it is important that ABA remains conceptually systematic by describing all procedures in terms of the principles (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007). However, in order to be systematic and conceptual, the procedures used to change behavior should be determined based on the context of behavior rather than on standarized usage of those procedures in other settings. Designing an intervention must take into account the value, worth, and cost of a particular procedure.Simplicity of procedures should be sought without sacrificing effectiveness. According to Baer, Wolf, and Risely, "A good design is one that answers the question convincingly, and as such needs to be constructed in reaction to the question and then tested through argument in that context...rather than imitated from a textbook," (Baer, Wolf, & Risely, 1987).
Therefore, we should ask:
Do the methods by which you change behavior make sense conceptually? Can you accurately describe the why the employed principles and procedures were the most appropriate to use?
Therefore, we should ask:
Do the methods by which you change behavior make sense conceptually? Can you accurately describe the why the employed principles and procedures were the most appropriate to use?
Technological
In order for others to conduct a behavior change and achieve the same results as you, it is imperative to describe the procedures and methods you use in terms that are understandable and reproducible (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007). It effective to not only consider the controlling conditions of a particular behavior, but also to look at what range of variations can occur within your procedures that don't compromise effectiveness of the intervention; flexibility is desirable, but too much may result in a loss of fidelity (Baer, Wolf, & Risely, 1987).
Therefore, we should ask:
Can you precisely define your procedures so that others can replicate your findings? Is sufficient detail provided in understandable terms so that your readers can comprehend the methods you utilized?
Therefore, we should ask:
Can you precisely define your procedures so that others can replicate your findings? Is sufficient detail provided in understandable terms so that your readers can comprehend the methods you utilized?
Effective
If ABA were not effective, then the discipline would not exist. It is of the utmost importance that all procedures show a socially significant change in behavior, as well as a noticeable change in the reasons for targeting that behavior (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007). A continual analysis of effectiveness of the procedures and systems that are being applied in various settings is not only recommended, but also necessary to adhere to this particular dimension.
Therefore, we should ask:
Has there been a change in the rate of your target behavior after you have implemented a procedure? Has that change affected other aspects of the environment in a beneficial way to other people? Do other people agree that the change in the target behavior has had a significant impact on the environment?
Therefore, we should ask:
Has there been a change in the rate of your target behavior after you have implemented a procedure? Has that change affected other aspects of the environment in a beneficial way to other people? Do other people agree that the change in the target behavior has had a significant impact on the environment?
Generalizable
One of the most marketable qualities of ABA is it's generality; the results can be sustained over time, occur in other environments, and lead to an improvement in other behaviors not necessarily targeted for change (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007). There is no systematic way to generalize; however, the promotion of effective interventions that are reproducible in a variety of settings may help to produce generalize outcomes (Baer, Wolf, & Risely, 1987).
Therefore, we should ask:
Can your procedures and findings allow other people in different situations to also change behavior successfully? How much can your methodology impact other companies and people?
Therefore, we should ask:
Can your procedures and findings allow other people in different situations to also change behavior successfully? How much can your methodology impact other companies and people?