In the field of applied behavior analysis, ABC stands for Antecedent-Behavior-Consequent. ABC analysis involves understanding the stimuli for behavior and the subsequent events that may act as reinforcement. Last week, you began to explore Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence analysis and how it can be used to help individuals examine behaviors they want to change. By identifying behaviors and understanding the triggers and impact of those behaviors, we better understand the “function” of the behavior and can, therefore, develop and implement more efficacious behavior change strategies. Also, you started an ABC analysis on a behavior from your own life. This week, you will complete that ABC analysis and finalize for submission.
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To Prepare
- Review the Learning Resources for this week, including the required weekly media programs, to develop an understanding of how to determine the function of behavior.
Assignment (1–2 pages)
For this Assignment, summarize your findings for the following:
- Identify a behavior in your own life.
- Operationally define that behavior.
- During a period of 3 days, at each occurrence of the behavior, identify the following:
- The time of occurrence
- The environmental situation that immediately preceded the behavior
- Your (or someone in your environment) response
Be sure to support your Assignment with specific references to behavior-analytic theory and research. In addition to the Learning Resources, search the Walden Library and/or the internet for peer-reviewed articles to support your Assignment. Use proper APA format and citations, including those in the Learning Resources.
Resources
- Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2020). Applied behavior analysis (3rd ed.). Pearson.
- Chapter 5, “Improving and Assessing the Quality of Behavioral Measurement” (pp. 101–121)
- Carter, N. F. (2001). Mental measurements yearbook (databases).Links to an external site. Reference & User Services Quarterly, 41 (2), 181–182.
- Dawkins, T., Meyer, A. T., & Van Bourgondien, M. E. (2016).The relationship between the Childhood Autism Rating Scale: Second Edition and clinical diagnosis utilizing the DSM-IV-TR and the DSM-5.Links to an external site. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46 , 3361–3368.
- Kamphaus, R. W., & Dever, B. V. (2016). Behavioral observations and assessment.Links to an external site. In J. C. Norcross, G. R. VandenBos, D. K Freedheim, & R. Krishnamurthy (Eds.), APA handbook of clinical psychology: Applications and methods, vol. 3 (pp. 17–29). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.