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Unit 7 Throughout the course thus far we have the scientific principles of behaviorism that are used by ABA professionals. We have also discussed ways that ABA professionals can teach clients new behaviors and intervene on a group level. We also have explored different careers within ABA and research fundamentals relevant to the field.

Discussion Question: Review from Unit 7 A principal is attempting to research the possible association between student height and athletic ability. What would be the independent and dependent variables?

Discussion Question: Review from Unit 7 What would be possible confounding variables?

Introduction to Unit 8 This week, we will identify some of the most common misconceptions about behaviorism This week, we will identify some of the most common misconceptions about behaviorism We will explore the use of self- management and self-control in behavior modification programs We will explore the use of self- management and self-control in behavior modification programs We will also explore the role of thoughts, feelings and emotions in ABA We will also explore the role of thoughts, feelings and emotions in ABA

Common Misconceptions about ABA The use of reinforcement to change behavior is a form of bribery. The use of reinforcement to change behavior is a form of bribery. Children will learn to behavior appropriately only for reinforcement Children will learn to behavior appropriately only for reinforcement Children should ‘work’ for intrinsic reinforcers Children should ‘work’ for intrinsic reinforcers ABA advocates for punishment as a method of behavior change ABA advocates for punishment as a method of behavior change

Common Misconceptions about ABA ABA does not teach how or why a child should do something, it only trains them to behave in a certain way ABA does not teach how or why a child should do something, it only trains them to behave in a certain way All children should be treated in the same way  ABA ignores the uniqueness of the individual All children should be treated in the same way  ABA ignores the uniqueness of the individual Changing another person’s behavior is coercive  ABA eliminates free will and produces children with Robot-like behavior Changing another person’s behavior is coercive  ABA eliminates free will and produces children with Robot-like behavior

Question What do you think the role of emotion in behavior might be? What do you think the role of emotion in behavior might be? How can an ABA professional incorporate this into his or her work with clients? How can an ABA professional incorporate this into his or her work with clients?

Self-management The personal application of behavioral change tactics that produces a desired change in behavior The personal application of behavioral change tactics that produces a desired change in behavior used in reference to a person acting in some way in order to change subsequent behavior used in reference to a person acting in some way in order to change subsequent behavior For example, Johnny wants to stop smoking. He creates a chart whereby he reduces his cigarette consumption by one cigarette/three days For example, Johnny wants to stop smoking. He creates a chart whereby he reduces his cigarette consumption by one cigarette/three days As another example, Jenny wants to snooze less, so she places her alarm clock far away from her bed As another example, Jenny wants to snooze less, so she places her alarm clock far away from her bed

What might be another example of a self- management plan to change a behavior?

How might you use a self-management system to develop a target behavior, such as finishing your Final Project for this course?

Uses of Self Management Live a more effective and efficient daily life Live a more effective and efficient daily life Break bad habits and acquire good ones Break bad habits and acquire good ones Accomplish difficult tasks Accomplish difficult tasks Achieve personal lifestyle goals Achieve personal lifestyle goals

What might be the benefits of self-management vs. external management for behavior change?

Antecedent-Based Self- Management Tactics Manipulation of events or stimuli antecedent to the target behavior, such as: Manipulation of events or stimuli antecedent to the target behavior, such as: Manipulating behaviors to make a desired behavior more likely or an undesired behavior less likely Manipulating behaviors to make a desired behavior more likely or an undesired behavior less likely Providing response prompts Providing response prompts Removing the materials required for an undesired behavior Removing the materials required for an undesired behavior Limiting an undesired behavior to restricted stimulus conditions Limiting an undesired behavior to restricted stimulus conditions

Example Sandra wants to use antecedent based self management techniques to stop smoking. She might: Sandra wants to use antecedent based self management techniques to stop smoking. She might: Throw away all of her cigarettes and resist from buying more Throw away all of her cigarettes and resist from buying more Limit smoking behaviors to times when she is outside, despite the weather Limit smoking behaviors to times when she is outside, despite the weather Places reminders around her house of the reasons why she does not want to smoke Places reminders around her house of the reasons why she does not want to smoke

Bobby’s room is always a mess- he can’t find things that he needs and friends complain that it smells bad. He wants to have a cleaner room. How could he use antecedent based self- management tactics to help with this?

Self-Monitoring A procedure where a person observes and responds to, usually be recording, the behavior s/he is trying to change A procedure where a person observes and responds to, usually be recording, the behavior s/he is trying to change Often results in desired behavior change Often results in desired behavior change Is often combined with goal setting and self-evaluation Is often combined with goal setting and self-evaluation Often reinforcement for meeting goals is included Often reinforcement for meeting goals is included

Why might self-monitoring often be associated with desired behavior change?

Example of Self-Monitoring Sandra creates a chart to monitor how many cigarettes she smokes during a day, and when. Her goal is to stop smoking in two months. She will treat herself to a weekend at the beach if she succeeds. She places photos of the beach on the chart as a reminder. Sandra creates a chart to monitor how many cigarettes she smokes during a day, and when. Her goal is to stop smoking in two months. She will treat herself to a weekend at the beach if she succeeds. She places photos of the beach on the chart as a reminder.

What might be another example of self-monitoring?

Suggested Guidelines for Self- Monitoring Use materials that make it easy Use materials that make it easy Use supplementary cues or prompts Use supplementary cues or prompts Self-monitor the most important dimension of the target behavior Self-monitor the most important dimension of the target behavior Self-monitor early and often Self-monitor early and often Reinforce accurate self-monitoring Reinforce accurate self-monitoring

Self-Administered Consequences Positive/negative reinforcement and positive/negative punishment can be incorporated into self-management programs Positive/negative reinforcement and positive/negative punishment can be incorporated into self-management programs Example: Sandra rewards herself with a trip to the local beach if she stops smoking Example: Sandra rewards herself with a trip to the local beach if she stops smoking Example: Bobby spends Friday evening cleaning his room, rather than at the movies with friends, if he does not get it done that morning Example: Bobby spends Friday evening cleaning his room, rather than at the movies with friends, if he does not get it done that morning

What are some examples of possible self-administered reinforcements?

What are some examples of possible self-administered punishments?

Self-Administered Consequence Guidelines Select small, easy to deliver consequences Select small, easy to deliver consequences Select meaningful but easy to meet criterion for reinforcement Select meaningful but easy to meet criterion for reinforcement Eliminate bootleg reinforcement (access to the specified consequence without meeting the response requirements established) Eliminate bootleg reinforcement (access to the specified consequence without meeting the response requirements established) If necessary, put someone else in control of delivery of consequences If necessary, put someone else in control of delivery of consequences Use the least complicated and intrusive contingencies that will be effective Use the least complicated and intrusive contingencies that will be effective

Other Self-Management Tactics Self instruction and self talk Self instruction and self talk Systematic desensitization (esp. for fears and phobias) Systematic desensitization (esp. for fears and phobias) Massed practice: forcing oneself to perform an undesired behavior again and again to decrease future frequency of the behavior Massed practice: forcing oneself to perform an undesired behavior again and again to decrease future frequency of the behavior Habit reversal: self-monitor unwanted habits and interrupt the behavior chain as early as possible by engaging in behaviors incompatible with the problem behavior Habit reversal: self-monitor unwanted habits and interrupt the behavior chain as early as possible by engaging in behaviors incompatible with the problem behavior

Steps for Designing and Implementing a Self-Management Program Specify a goal and define the behavior to be changed Specify a goal and define the behavior to be changed Begin self-monitoring the behavior Begin self-monitoring the behavior Create contingencies that will compete with natural contingencies Create contingencies that will compete with natural contingencies Go public with the commitment to change behavior Go public with the commitment to change behavior Get a self-management partner Get a self-management partner Continually evaluate and redesign the program as needed Continually evaluate and redesign the program as needed

Great job tonight! Any ending questions or comments? Any ending questions or comments?