Overview
As a future ABA professional, understanding why the field of behavior analysis differs from other psychology fields is important. Behavior analysts use objective and behavioristic statements to describe phenomena they observe. At this point in your studies, it is important to start considering the impact of mentalistic statements in your vocabulary to help you to begin thinking like a behavior analyst.
Instructions
Your instructor will share the Mentalism and Radical Behaviorism Template you will use to complete this assignment.
Complete the following in the provided table:
- Column 1: Identify whether the statement is mentalistic or behavioristic for each scenario.
- Column 2: Explain the reasoning behind your choices. Some of the scenarios are similar and you may reuse your justification in multiple scenarios—but you must restate the explanation for each scenario and provide in-text citations to back up where those facts came from.
- Column 3: Provide a behavioristic explanation as an alternative for each of the mentalistic explanations you identify. You do not need to include an explanation if you label the example as behavioristic.
Answer the following questions below the table. Each answer should be no more than two paragraphs and should expand on the last answer with new ideas. Ensure there are in-text citations to back up where your facts come from.
- How does a behavior analytic approach differ from other fields of psychology?
- What is the problem with a behavior analyst using a mentalistic approach?
- Why is it important for a behavior analyst to use a behavioristic approach and not use a mentalistic approach in their practice?
Refer to the Mentalism and Radical Behaviorism rubric to ensure you understand the grading criteria for this assignment.
Additional Requirements
Your assignment should also meet the following requirements:
- Written communication: Should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
- Resources: Reference your Cooper et al., (2020) course textbook and other course readings that support your responses.
- Length: 2–3 double-spaced pages, in addition to the title page and references page.
Competencies Measured
By successfully completing this assignment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and rubric criteria:
- Competency 3: Distinguish between different branches in the field of behavior analysis.
- Identify correctly four or five of the statements as either mentalistic or behavioristic.
- Explain the reasons for the behaviors chosen.
- Describe alternative behavioristic explanations for the mentalistic statements.
- Explain how the behavior analytic approach is different from most other psychology fields.
- Explain the problem with a behavior analyst using a mentalistic approach.
- Explain why it is important for a behavior analyst to use a behavior analytic approach.
- Competency 4: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly and consistent with expectations for professionals in the field of psychology.
- Demonstrate an academic writing style through well-organized prose that follows assignment guidelines.
- Demonstrate compliance with APA style and referencing guidelines.
| Week 6 Assignment: Mentalism and Radical Behaviorism | ||
|---|---|---|
| Criteria | Ratings | Pts |
| Identify correctly four or five of the statements as either mentalistic or behavioristic. | 23.8 to >20.23 pts DISTINGUISHED Identifies correctly all six of the statements as either mentalistic or behavioristic.20.23 to >16.66 pts PROFICIENT Identifies correctly four or five of the statements as either mentalistic or behavioristic.16.66 to >0 pts BASIC Identifies correctly fewer than four of the statements as either mentalistic or behavioristic.0 pts NON_PERFORMANCE Does not identify correctly more than one of the statements as mentalistic or behavioristic. | / 23.8 pts |
Explain the reasons for the behaviors chosen. | 23.8 to >20.23 pts DISTINGUISHED Explains the reasons for the behaviors chosen and provides support from the textbooks.20.23 to >16.66 pts PROFICIENT Explains the reasons for the behaviors chosen.16.66 to >0 pts BASIC Attempts to explain the reasons for the behaviors chosen, but the information is inaccurate or incomplete.0 pts NON_PERFORMANCE Does not explain the reasons for the behaviors chosen. | / 23.8 pts |
Describe alternative behavioristic explanations for the mentalistic statements. | 22.1 to >18.79 pts DISTINGUISHED Describes and justifies alternative behavioristic explanations for the mentalistic statements.18.79 to >15.47 pts PROFICIENT Describes alternative behavioristic explanations for the mentalistic statements.15.47 to >0 pts BASIC Attempts to describe alternative behavioristic explanations for the mentalistic statements, but the explanations are inaccurate or incomplete.0 pts NON_PERFORMANCE Does not describe alternative behavioristic explanations for the mentalistic statements. | / 22.1 pts |
Explain how the behavior analytic approach is different from most other psychology fields. | 22.1 to >18.79 pts DISTINGUISHED Explains how the behavior analytic approach is different from most other psychology fields using ABA terminology.18.79 to >15.47 pts PROFICIENT Explains how the behavior analytic approach is different from most other psychology fields.15.47 to >0 pts BASIC Briefly explains how the behavior analytic approach is different from most other psychology fields, but the explanation is incomplete or unclear.0 pts NON_PERFORMANCE Does not explain how the behavior analytic approach is different from most other psychology fields. | / 22.1 pts |
Explain the problem with a behavior analyst using a mentalistic approach. | 22.1 to >18.79 pts DISTINGUISHED Explains the problem with a behavior analyst using a mentalistic approach and provides examples to illustrate the explanation.18.79 to >15.47 pts PROFICIENT Explains the problem with a behavior analyst using a mentalistic approach.15.47 to >0 pts BASIC Partially explains the problem with a behavior analyst using a mentalistic approach, but the explanation is inaccurate or incomplete.0 pts NON_PERFORMANCE Does not explain the problem with a behavior analyst using a mentalistic approach. | / 22.1 pts |
Explain why it is important for a behavior analyst to use a behavior analytic approach. | 22.1 to >18.79 pts DISTINGUISHED Explains why it is important for a behavior analyst to use a behavior analytic approach and provides examples to illustrate the explanation.18.79 to >15.47 pts PROFICIENT Explains why it is important for a behavior analyst to use a behavior analytic approach.15.47 to >0 pts BASIC Partially explains why it is important for a behavior analyst to use a behavior analytic approach, but the explanation is inaccurate or incomplete.0 pts NON_PERFORMANCE Does not explain why it is important for a behavior analyst to use a behavior analytic approach. | / 22.1 pts |
Demonstrate an academic writing style through well-organized prose that follows assignment guidelines. | 17 to >14.45 pts DISTINGUISHED Demonstrates an academic writing style through well-organized prose that contains no significant grammatical or mechanical errors and follows assignment guidelines.14.45 to >11.9 pts PROFICIENT Demonstrates an academic writing style through well-organized prose that follows assignment guidelines.11.9 to >0 pts BASIC Demonstrates minimally acceptable writing style, but still has instances of disorganization, grammatical or mechanical errors, or does not follow all assignment guidelines.0 pts NON_PERFORMANCE Does not demonstrate an academic writing style. | / 17 pts |
Demonstrate compliance with APA style and referencing guidelines. | 17 to >14.45 pts DISTINGUISHED Develops a paper that is fully compliant with APA style and referencing guidelines.14.45 to >11.9 pts PROFICIENT Demonstrates compliance with APA style and referencing guidelines.11.9 to >0 pts BASIC Demonstrates minimally acceptable compliance with APA style and referencing guidelines.0 pts NON_PERFORMANCE Does not demonstrate compliance with APA style and referencing guidelines. | / 17 pts |
| Total Points: 0 |