Unit 6 PS558
Behavior Change Intervention
Throughout the term you have explored the ways in which applied behavior analysis is grounded in practical and philosophical foundations of natural science. This week your readings and activities will prepare you to examine the ways in which that foundation continues to support professional practice in applied behavior analysis. For this discussion, review the Behavior Analysis | An Overview (Behavior Analyst Certification Board, 2018) video on areas of professional practice in ABA. Then, please create a brief scenario in which you imagine yourself as a behavior analyst who is developing an intervention to help an individual change a socially significant behavior by creating a simple system of reinforcement to increase a desired behavior. For instance, you might develop an intervention where time spent in-seat at school is reinforced with teacher praise or tokens or an intervention to improve productivity in a factory by offering incentives. For best results, keep your scenario simple!
Please respond to the following:
- Provide a brief description of a simple behavior change intervention.
- Describe a simple plan of reinforcement to increase the desired behavior.
- Taking into consideration readings throughout the term on goals of science, philosophical assumptions of science, and the seven dimensions of applied behavior analysis, describe how the plan you are proposing is grounded in a scientific foundation.
- Finally, describe the scientist–practitioner model and discuss how it will guide your hypothetical intervention.
Review two of your classmates' responses, using the following ideas as a guide and asking follow-up questions that promote further analysis and development:
- Does the plan presented appear to be an effective means to improve the behavior of interest?
- Is it important to change the behavior? Why or why not?
- Evaluate whether the behavior for change meets the Baer et al. (1968) definition of "socially valid".
- Provide feedback on how the plan support the scientist–practitioner model.