Behavior Analysis Notes PDF

- **[B.16]:** A motivating operation is a condition that changes the effectiveness of a reinforcer by creating value-altering and behavior-altering effects. An establishing operation increases the value of a reinforcer. For example, if I stayed up late and only slept 3 hours, I hav...

- **[B.16]:** A motivating operation is a condition that changes the effectiveness of a reinforcer by creating value-altering and behavior-altering effects. An establishing operation increases the value of a reinforcer. For example, if I stayed up late and only slept 3 hours, I have deprived myself of sleep and the reinforcing value of sleep increases. An abolishing operation decreases the value of a reinforcer. For example, if I spent the entire day binge watching an entire season of a new show, the T.V. has now become satiated and its value has decreased. After spending hours watching an entire season, I am less likely to continue watching T.V. afterwards and it becomes less desirable. An unconditioned motivating operation is another type of motivating operation that occurs regardless of a learning history and based on biological and physiological needs. Examples of unconditioned motivating operations include food, water, sleep, pain, warmth, and safety. A conditioned motivating operation is a learned stimulus that alters the value of a reinforcer based on past experiences by using a neutral stimulus to influence how desirable something is due to its association with other reinforcing or punishing events. For example, earning stickers on a chore chart, getting an A on a test, receiving praise from a teacher, and getting paid at a job are considered conditioned motivating operations. - **[C.1:]** Operational definitions consist of clear, concise, and measurable descriptions of behavior. Defining a target behavior identifies the observable characteristics of a behavior, allowing it to be easily identified and measured during interventions. It will allow practitioners to track progress over time and assess the effectiveness of interventions. For example, physical aggression is defined as any instance of the client making forceful impact with another person by hitting with an open or closed fist, shoving, kicking, pulling hair, and/or biting. This definition specifies the actions, targets, and observable outcomes of the target behavior. Operational definitions also provide examples and non-examples of the target behavior. For example, a client punches the teacher in the arm with a closed fist after denied access to free time. A non-example of physical aggression may include giving someone a high five or accidentally running into someone. - **[D.1:]** The dependent variable represents the target behavior or outcome that practitioners are interested in observing. It refers to the measured behavior in an experiment that changes because of manipulations to the independent variable and represents a measure of socially significant behavior (Cooper et al., 2020, p. 160). For example, a behavior analyst analyzes the effect of differential reinforcement of alternative behaviors (DRA) on a client's tantrum behavior. The tantrum behavior is the dependent variable because it is the outcome being measured. An independent variable is the variable that is manipulated to determine whether it affects the subject's behavior. It is also determined by the treatment or intervention implemented to change a specific behavior. For example, a behavior analyst implements extinction to reduce disruptive behavior. The extinction procedure is the independent variable because it is the intervention used to observe the effect on the dependent variable. - **[E.10:]** Cultural responsiveness focuses on applying cultural humility, awareness, and sensitivity to create positive outcomes. Practitioners must comprehend the cultural influences that form a client's identity and life experiences to develop more collaborative and inclusive therapeutic relationships with their clients. Practitioners should also create supportive environments based on social validity, focusing on the perspectives and values of the clients and their communities than their own professional biases. Diversity-affirming services emphasize cultural responsiveness and the need to dismantle barriers that undermine their clients' quality of life (Wilczynski, 2024, p. 23). These services use the client's unique strengths as the foundation for intervention. Inclusivity involves providing services and supervision that are accessible to everyone, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, or age. - **[F.8:]** Behavior analysts use assessment data to determine if behavior-change procedures are practical, effective, and a tailored to the client's needs. Goals should also be prioritized based on their impact on client safety, level of intrusiveness, and social validity. Social validity emphasizes the extent to which goals, procedures, and outcomes are meaningful, acceptable, and beneficial to the client. A practitioner can develop socially significant goals by allowing the client to lead the decision making process and express which goals they want to focus on. Other interested parties including parents and siblings can also be involved in the decision-making process. For example, if a client wants to learn how to cook his own meals but his family thinks it could be too dangerous, the practitioner will develop goals to build the client's independence in the kitchen. This may include teaching the client kitchen safety, different cooking methods (microwaving, boiling, baking, etc.), and step-by-step recipes. A non-verbal client can also develop their own goals by utilizing visual aids, choice boards, and picture communication systems to communicate which skills to work on. Practitioners often assume that someone's disability means they are not capable of forming goals or opinions that should be honored. It is important to uphold the dignity of our clients throughout their lifetimes and value their opinions. Selecting socially significant goals requires cultural awareness, cultural humility, and cultural sensitivity to create meaningful outcomes for the client. Practitioners should also prioritize cultural responsiveness to create goals that are meaningful to the client, relevant to their cultural context, and align with their values and daily life experiences to promote a positive behavioral change. - **[H.2:]** Behavior analysts are responsible for ensuring each intervention is effective, ethical, and appropriate for the client. Interventions are developed based on data collected from a functional behavior assessment (FBA), skills assessments, preference assessments, and environmental assessments. These assessments determine which behaviors need to be targeted for intervention by identifying antecedents and consequences maintaining the behavior and assessing patterns and contextual factors influencing behavior. Practitioners also identify and support interventions based on scientific evidence from research studies. Evidence-based interventions are supported by scientific research to produce effective, ethical, and meaningful outcomes. It is also crucial for practitioners to prioritize client autonomy and recognize client assent and assent withdrawal. Client autonomy refers to the client's right to make decisions about their own treatment, goals, and participation in services. To ensure an intervention provides a contextual fit, it must align with the client's skills, needs, values, and culture to influence meaningful behavior change.