Welcome back!!!Welcome back!!!

Unit 6Unit 6

Throughout the course thus far we have the Throughout the course thus far we have the

scientific principles of behaviorism that are usedscientific principles of behaviorism that are used

by ABA professionals. These principles are used by ABA professionals. These principles are used

to modify socially significant behavior that to modify socially significant behavior that

negatively effects or causes extreme distress in a negatively effects or causes extreme distress in a

person's life. We have also discussed ways that person's life. We have also discussed ways that

ABA professionals can teach clients new ABA professionals can teach clients new

behaviors and intervene on a group levelbehaviors and intervene on a group level

Unit 7 ProjectUnit 7 Project You will have the opportunity to select a You will have the opportunity to select a

behavior that you wish to change in behavior that you wish to change in yourself and design a basic behavior yourself and design a basic behavior modification program to change this modification program to change this behavior. behavior.

If you don't wish to use one of your own If you don't wish to use one of your own behaviors, you may choose one of a behaviors, you may choose one of a book/TV/movie character or family/friend. book/TV/movie character or family/friend.

As with other projects, while you should As with other projects, while you should rely primarily on the textbook readings, rely primarily on the textbook readings, you also may use additional sources you also may use additional sources should you choose.should you choose.

Unit 7 ProjectUnit 7 Project

The total project should be 2 pages in The total project should be 2 pages in 12 point font. 12 point font.

Please be sure to use proper APA Please be sure to use proper APA format for all sources used. format for all sources used.

Direct quoting of sources should be Direct quoting of sources should be kept to a minimum. kept to a minimum.

For additional help, refer to the APA For additional help, refer to the APA Quick Reference on the Course Home Quick Reference on the Course Home Page or to the Kaplan Writing Center.Page or to the Kaplan Writing Center.

Discussion Question: Discussion Question: Review from Unit 6Review from Unit 6

How could shaping be used to teach How could shaping be used to teach someone how to do jumping jacks?someone how to do jumping jacks?

Discussion Question: Discussion Question: Review from Unit 6Review from Unit 6

How could chaining be used to teach How could chaining be used to teach someone how to iron a shirt?someone how to iron a shirt?

Discussion Question: Discussion Question: Review from Unit 6Review from Unit 6

Jack and Jill have TEN children. How Jack and Jill have TEN children. How could they use a token economy to could they use a token economy to implement a behavioral management implement a behavioral management plan with their children at home?plan with their children at home?

Introduction to Unit 7Introduction to Unit 7

This week, we will look at some of This week, we will look at some of the different fields and settings that the different fields and settings that ABA professionals may find ABA professionals may find themselves working in. themselves working in.

We will also look at research- We will also look at research- understanding basic assessment and understanding basic assessment and research is necessary for your research is necessary for your development in this field. development in this field.

ABAABA

ABA is used in many settings, including ABA is used in many settings, including education, workplace settings, clinical education, workplace settings, clinical and mental health work, residential and mental health work, residential treatment facilities, alcohol/substance treatment facilities, alcohol/substance abuse counseling, sports psychology, abuse counseling, sports psychology, health care, just to name a few fields. health care, just to name a few fields.

Some ABA professionals choose to Some ABA professionals choose to work in research laboratories and work in research laboratories and others use research and data collection others use research and data collection in their applied work with clients. in their applied work with clients.

Examples of ABA CareersExamples of ABA Careers Autism ConsultantAutism Consultant Brain Trauma Rehabilitation ConsultantBrain Trauma Rehabilitation Consultant In Home ABA ConsultantIn Home ABA Consultant Geriatric/Dementia ConsultantGeriatric/Dementia Consultant ResearcherResearcher School Staff/ConsultantSchool Staff/Consultant Staff at Residential Facilities for Adults Staff at Residential Facilities for Adults

with Developmental Disabilitieswith Developmental Disabilities Transitional Living StaffTransitional Living Staff

Of these settings, were there uses of ABA that surprised you? Explain.

Certified Applied Certified Applied Behavioral AnalystsBehavioral Analysts

A national certification board provides A national certification board provides certification to ABA professionals and certification to ABA professionals and establishes “best practice” and ethical standardsestablishes “best practice” and ethical standards

Skills required for certified ABA professionalsSkills required for certified ABA professionals Ability to work in a variety of settings.Ability to work in a variety of settings. Comfortable working with clients with behavior Comfortable working with clients with behavior

disorders.disorders. Good observersGood observers Detail-orientedDetail-oriented CompassionateCompassionate Possess excellent written and communication skillsPossess excellent written and communication skills

What other skills What other skills do you feel are do you feel are important to important to

possess in the ABA possess in the ABA field?field?

ResearchResearch

How do you think research might be How do you think research might be important to the work of ABA important to the work of ABA professionals?professionals?

QuestionQuestion

Research showed that, as a group, Research showed that, as a group, Ms. Smith’s fourth grade class is of Ms. Smith’s fourth grade class is of above average intelligence with above average intelligence with below average behavior problems. below average behavior problems. Jenny is a student in this class. What Jenny is a student in this class. What does this say about Jenny’s level of does this say about Jenny’s level of intelligence and behavior problems?intelligence and behavior problems?

Research ExampleResearch Example

A researcher wants to study the A researcher wants to study the effects of rewarding children with effects of rewarding children with stickers on class grades.stickers on class grades.

Study Design: it will be important to Study Design: it will be important to clearly define amount of stickers clearly define amount of stickers used as rewards and how grades are used as rewards and how grades are to be measured. to be measured.

Research TermsResearch Terms

Independent VariableIndependent Variable: the variable : the variable that is systematically manipulated by a that is systematically manipulated by a researcher to see whether changes in researcher to see whether changes in the independent variable produce the independent variable produce reliable changes in the dependent reliable changes in the dependent variable variable (in prior example, this would (in prior example, this would be reward of stickers)be reward of stickers)

Dependent Variable:Dependent Variable: the variable the variable measured to see if it changes as a measured to see if it changes as a result of manipulations of the result of manipulations of the independent variable independent variable (in prior (in prior example, this would be grades)example, this would be grades)

Confounding VariableConfounding Variable An uncontrolled factor known or An uncontrolled factor known or

suspected to exert influence on the suspected to exert influence on the dependent variabledependent variable

Can be viewed as related primarily to Can be viewed as related primarily to one of four elements of an experiment: one of four elements of an experiment: subject, setting, measurement of the subject, setting, measurement of the dependent variable, and the independent dependent variable, and the independent variablevariable

In the prior example, aside from sticker In the prior example, aside from sticker rewards, what other factors might rewards, what other factors might influence a student’s grades?influence a student’s grades?

Double-blind studiesDouble-blind studies In the prior example, the teacher giving grades, In the prior example, the teacher giving grades,

as well as students involved, may be biased by as well as students involved, may be biased by knowledge of studyknowledge of study

For example, teacher may know researchers For example, teacher may know researchers think giving stickers means students will get think giving stickers means students will get higher grades and therefore more positively higher grades and therefore more positively grade work of students who have earned many grade work of students who have earned many stickersstickers

Similarly, for example, students who believe Similarly, for example, students who believe earning no stickers results in poor grades may try earning no stickers results in poor grades may try less hard on assignmentsless hard on assignments

Double-blind studies attempt to reduce this bias: Double-blind studies attempt to reduce this bias: neither the subjects nor the observers know when neither the subjects nor the observers know when the independent variable is present or absentthe independent variable is present or absent

Another ExampleAnother Example

Joe wants to see if his son will clean Joe wants to see if his son will clean his room more often if he starts his room more often if he starts getting an allowance.getting an allowance.

What would be the independent and What would be the independent and dependent variables?dependent variables?

In the prior In the prior example, what are example, what are

possible possible confounding confounding

variables?variables?

Internal ValidityInternal Validity Experiments that demonstrate a clear functional Experiments that demonstrate a clear functional

relationship between the independent variable and relationship between the independent variable and the target behavior are said to have a high degree the target behavior are said to have a high degree of internal validityof internal validity

Findings with high internal validity would be Findings with high internal validity would be reliable and with low likelihood of confounding reliable and with low likelihood of confounding variable being responsible for behavioral changevariable being responsible for behavioral change

Ex. a study finds that wearing shorts is associated Ex. a study finds that wearing shorts is associated with eating ice cream. Later studies do not find with eating ice cream. Later studies do not find the same effect. Researchers determine the the same effect. Researchers determine the confounding variable of hot temperature is confounding variable of hot temperature is producing this effect. The original study would producing this effect. The original study would have low internal validity.have low internal validity.

Social ValiditySocial Validity Refers to the extent to which target Refers to the extent to which target

behaviors are appropriate, intervention behaviors are appropriate, intervention procedures are acceptable, and procedures are acceptable, and important and significant changes in important and significant changes in target and collateral behaviors are target and collateral behaviors are producedproduced

Is most often assessed by seeking Is most often assessed by seeking consumer opinionsconsumer opinions

Ex.- participants learn to jump five times Ex.- participants learn to jump five times to earn a piece of candy. When to earn a piece of candy. When assessed, this does not seem socially assessed, this does not seem socially significant or beneficial in everyday life- significant or beneficial in everyday life- this study would have low social validity.this study would have low social validity.

External ValidityExternal Validity Refers to the degree to which a functional Refers to the degree to which a functional

relation found reliable and socially valid in relation found reliable and socially valid in a given experiment will hold under different a given experiment will hold under different conditions and with different populationsconditions and with different populations

Can be assessed via systematic replication Can be assessed via systematic replication of experiments where one or more aspect of of experiments where one or more aspect of the original experiment is alteredthe original experiment is altered

For example, a study finds an association For example, a study finds an association between writing ability and professional between writing ability and professional success in a study of journalists; however, success in a study of journalists; however, these findings did not predict professional these findings did not predict professional success among accountants. The original success among accountants. The original study would have low external validity.study would have low external validity.

Study ErrorsStudy Errors

Type I Error: researcher concludes Type I Error: researcher concludes that the independent variable had an that the independent variable had an effect on the dependent variable when effect on the dependent variable when it did not it did not

Type II Error: researcher concludes Type II Error: researcher concludes that the independent variable did not that the independent variable did not have an effect on the dependent have an effect on the dependent variable when it didvariable when it did

ExampleExample

A researcher concluded gender had A researcher concluded gender had an effect on college GPA when it did an effect on college GPA when it did not. Is this a Type I or Type II error?not. Is this a Type I or Type II error?

ExampleExample

A researcher concluded IQ did not A researcher concluded IQ did not have an effect on SAT scores when it have an effect on SAT scores when it did. Is this a Type I or Type II did. Is this a Type I or Type II Error?Error?

Function of BehaviorsFunction of Behaviors

Many problem behaviors are learned Many problem behaviors are learned and maintained through positive, and maintained through positive, negative, and/or automatic negative, and/or automatic reinforcement reinforcement problem behavior problem behavior often serves a “function”often serves a “function”

Can you think of an example of this?Can you think of an example of this?

Functional Behavior Functional Behavior AssessmentAssessment

Can identify antecedent variables that can be Can identify antecedent variables that can be altered to prevent problem behavior (ex., if a altered to prevent problem behavior (ex., if a child tantrums when tired, making sure s/he gets child tantrums when tired, making sure s/he gets enough sleep every night)enough sleep every night)

Can identify reinforcement contingencies that Can identify reinforcement contingencies that can be altered so that problem behavior no can be altered so that problem behavior no longer receives reinforcement (ex., not providing longer receives reinforcement (ex., not providing attention to a tantruming child)attention to a tantruming child)

Can help identify reinforcers for alternative Can help identify reinforcers for alternative replacement behaviors (ex., rewarding a child replacement behaviors (ex., rewarding a child with a special treat if s/he deals with anger by with a special treat if s/he deals with anger by taking a time out to calm down vs. hitting his/her taking a time out to calm down vs. hitting his/her sibling)sibling)

What might be What might be antecedent antecedent variables variables

associated with associated with failing grades in failing grades in

school? How could school? How could these be altered to these be altered to

avoid having avoid having failing grades in failing grades in

school?school?

Great job tonight!Great job tonight!

Any ending questions or comments?Any ending questions or comments?