Overview
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There are two foundational assumptions that guide the behavior of scientists, including behavior analysts: determinism and empiricism (Cooper et al., 2020). These principles guarantee that behaviors are based on evidence, enabling testing, replication, and refinement (Cooper et al., 2020). Empiricism emphasizes objective observation and measurement of relevant phenomena. Behavior analysts utilize direct observation and data collection to inform decisions and assess interventions (Cooper et al., 2020). For example, if a teacher suspects that a particular activity helps a student concentrate better, a behavior analyst would gather data on the student’s on-task behavior before and after the activity to determine whether that specific activity actually has the intended effect on the child.
Determinism is the belief that the universe is a lawful and orderly place in which all phenomena occur as a result of other events (Cooper et al., 2020). In the context of behavior analysis, this implies that behavior does not happen randomly and has identifiable causes (Cooper et al., 2020). For example, if a child frequently has tantrums when asked to clean up their room or other areas of the home, a behavior analyst would hypothesize a specific reason behind these outbursts, such as seeking to avoid an unwanted task, and aim to uncover that cause through careful observation and data collection.
References
Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2020). Applied behavior analysis (3rd ed.). Pearson