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Unit 6 Throughout the course thus far we have the scientific principles of behaviorism that are used by ABA professionals. These principles are used by ABA professionals. These principles are used to modify socially significant behavior that negatively effects or causes extreme distress in a person's life. We have also discussed ways that ABA professionals can teach clients new behaviors and intervene on a group level

Unit 7 Project You will have the opportunity to select a behavior that you wish to change in yourself and design a basic behavior modification program to change this behavior. You will have the opportunity to select a behavior that you wish to change in yourself and design a basic behavior modification program to change this behavior. If you don't wish to use one of your own behaviors, you may choose one of a book/TV/movie character or family/friend. If you don't wish to use one of your own behaviors, you may choose one of a book/TV/movie character or family/friend. As with other projects, while you should rely primarily on the textbook readings, you also may use additional sources should you choose. As with other projects, while you should rely primarily on the textbook readings, you also may use additional sources should you choose.

Unit 7 Project The total project should be 2 pages in 12 point font. The total project should be 2 pages in 12 point font. Please be sure to use proper APA format for all sources used. Please be sure to use proper APA format for all sources used. Direct quoting of sources should be kept to a minimum. Direct quoting of sources should be kept to a minimum. For additional help, refer to the APA Quick Reference on the Course Home Page or to the Kaplan Writing Center. For additional help, refer to the APA Quick Reference on the Course Home Page or to the Kaplan Writing Center.

Discussion Question: Review from Unit 6 How could shaping be used to teach someone how to do jumping jacks?

Discussion Question: Review from Unit 6 How could chaining be used to teach someone how to iron a shirt?

Discussion Question: Review from Unit 6 Jack and Jill have TEN children. How could they use a token economy to implement a behavioral management plan with their children at home?

Introduction to Unit 7 This week, we will look at some of the different fields and settings that ABA professionals may find themselves working in. This week, we will look at some of the different fields and settings that ABA professionals may find themselves working in. We will also look at research- understanding basic assessment and research is necessary for your development in this field. We will also look at research- understanding basic assessment and research is necessary for your development in this field.

ABA ABA is used in many settings, including education, workplace settings, clinical and mental health work, residential treatment facilities, alcohol/substance abuse counseling, sports psychology, health care, just to name a few fields. ABA is used in many settings, including education, workplace settings, clinical and mental health work, residential treatment facilities, alcohol/substance abuse counseling, sports psychology, health care, just to name a few fields. Some ABA professionals choose to work in research laboratories and others use research and data collection in their applied work with clients. Some ABA professionals choose to work in research laboratories and others use research and data collection in their applied work with clients.

Examples of ABA Careers Autism Consultant Autism Consultant Brain Trauma Rehabilitation Consultant Brain Trauma Rehabilitation Consultant In Home ABA Consultant In Home ABA Consultant Geriatric/Dementia Consultant Geriatric/Dementia Consultant Researcher Researcher School Staff/Consultant School Staff/Consultant Staff at Residential Facilities for Adults with Developmental Disabilities Staff at Residential Facilities for Adults with Developmental Disabilities Transitional Living Staff Transitional Living Staff

Of these settings, were there uses of ABA that surprised you? Explain.

Certified Applied Behavioral Analysts A national certification board provides certification to ABA professionals and establishes “best practice” and ethical standards A national certification board provides certification to ABA professionals and establishes “best practice” and ethical standards Skills required for certified ABA professionals Skills required for certified ABA professionals Ability to work in a variety of settings. Ability to work in a variety of settings. Comfortable working with clients with behavior disorders. Comfortable working with clients with behavior disorders. Good observers Good observers Detail-oriented Detail-oriented Compassionate Compassionate Possess excellent written and communication skills Possess excellent written and communication skills

What other skills do you feel are important to possess in the ABA field?

Research How do you think research might be important to the work of ABA professionals? How do you think research might be important to the work of ABA professionals?

Question Research showed that, as a group, Ms. Smith’s fourth grade class is of above average intelligence with below average behavior problems. Jenny is a student in this class. What does this say about Jenny’s level of intelligence and behavior problems? Research showed that, as a group, Ms. Smith’s fourth grade class is of above average intelligence with below average behavior problems. Jenny is a student in this class. What does this say about Jenny’s level of intelligence and behavior problems?

Research Example A researcher wants to study the effects of rewarding children with stickers on class grades. A researcher wants to study the effects of rewarding children with stickers on class grades. Study Design: it will be important to clearly define amount of stickers used as rewards and how grades are to be measured. Study Design: it will be important to clearly define amount of stickers used as rewards and how grades are to be measured.

Research Terms Independent Variable: the variable that is systematically manipulated by a researcher to see whether changes in the independent variable produce reliable changes in the dependent variable (in prior example, this would be reward of stickers) Independent Variable: the variable that is systematically manipulated by a researcher to see whether changes in the independent variable produce reliable changes in the dependent variable (in prior example, this would be reward of stickers) Dependent Variable: the variable measured to see if it changes as a result of manipulations of the independent variable (in prior example, this would be grades) Dependent Variable: the variable measured to see if it changes as a result of manipulations of the independent variable (in prior example, this would be grades)

Confounding Variable An uncontrolled factor known or suspected to exert influence on the dependent variable An uncontrolled factor known or suspected to exert influence on the dependent variable Can be viewed as related primarily to one of four elements of an experiment: subject, setting, measurement of the dependent variable, and the independent variable Can be viewed as related primarily to one of four elements of an experiment: subject, setting, measurement of the dependent variable, and the independent variable In the prior example, aside from sticker rewards, what other factors might influence a student’s grades? In the prior example, aside from sticker rewards, what other factors might influence a student’s grades?

Double-blind studies In the prior example, the teacher giving grades, as well as students involved, may be biased by knowledge of study In the prior example, the teacher giving grades, as well as students involved, may be biased by knowledge of study For example, teacher may know researchers think giving stickers means students will get higher grades and therefore more positively grade work of students who have earned many stickers For example, teacher may know researchers think giving stickers means students will get higher grades and therefore more positively grade work of students who have earned many stickers Similarly, for example, students who believe earning no stickers results in poor grades may try less hard on assignments Similarly, for example, students who believe earning no stickers results in poor grades may try less hard on assignments Double-blind studies attempt to reduce this bias: neither the subjects nor the observers know when the independent variable is present or absent Double-blind studies attempt to reduce this bias: neither the subjects nor the observers know when the independent variable is present or absent

Another Example Joe wants to see if his son will clean his room more often if he starts getting an allowance. Joe wants to see if his son will clean his room more often if he starts getting an allowance. What would be the independent and dependent variables? What would be the independent and dependent variables?

In the prior example, what are possible confounding variables?

Internal Validity Experiments that demonstrate a clear functional relationship between the independent variable and the target behavior are said to have a high degree of internal validity Experiments that demonstrate a clear functional relationship between the independent variable and the target behavior are said to have a high degree of internal validity Findings with high internal validity would be reliable and with low likelihood of confounding variable being responsible for behavioral change Findings with high internal validity would be reliable and with low likelihood of confounding variable being responsible for behavioral change Ex. a study finds that wearing shorts is associated with eating ice cream. Later studies do not find the same effect. Researchers determine the confounding variable of hot temperature is producing this effect. The original study would have low internal validity. Ex. a study finds that wearing shorts is associated with eating ice cream. Later studies do not find the same effect. Researchers determine the confounding variable of hot temperature is producing this effect. The original study would have low internal validity.

Social Validity Refers to the extent to which target behaviors are appropriate, intervention procedures are acceptable, and important and significant changes in target and collateral behaviors are produced Refers to the extent to which target behaviors are appropriate, intervention procedures are acceptable, and important and significant changes in target and collateral behaviors are produced Is most often assessed by seeking consumer opinions Is most often assessed by seeking consumer opinions Ex.- participants learn to jump five times to earn a piece of candy. When assessed, this does not seem socially significant or beneficial in everyday life- this study would have low social validity. Ex.- participants learn to jump five times to earn a piece of candy. When assessed, this does not seem socially significant or beneficial in everyday life- this study would have low social validity.

External Validity Refers to the degree to which a functional relation found reliable and socially valid in a given experiment will hold under different conditions and with different populations Refers to the degree to which a functional relation found reliable and socially valid in a given experiment will hold under different conditions and with different populations Can be assessed via systematic replication of experiments where one or more aspect of the original experiment is altered Can be assessed via systematic replication of experiments where one or more aspect of the original experiment is altered For example, a study finds an association between writing ability and professional success in a study of journalists; however, these findings did not predict professional success among accountants. The original study would have low external validity. For example, a study finds an association between writing ability and professional success in a study of journalists; however, these findings did not predict professional success among accountants. The original study would have low external validity.

Study Errors Type I Error: researcher concludes that the independent variable had an effect on the dependent variable when it did not Type I Error: researcher concludes that the independent variable had an effect on the dependent variable when it did not Type II Error: researcher concludes that the independent variable did not have an effect on the dependent variable when it did Type II Error: researcher concludes that the independent variable did not have an effect on the dependent variable when it did

Example A researcher concluded gender had an effect on college GPA when it did not. Is this a Type I or Type II error? A researcher concluded gender had an effect on college GPA when it did not. Is this a Type I or Type II error?

Example A researcher concluded IQ did not have an effect on SAT scores when it did. Is this a Type I or Type II Error? A researcher concluded IQ did not have an effect on SAT scores when it did. Is this a Type I or Type II Error?

Function of Behaviors Many problem behaviors are learned and maintained through positive, negative, and/or automatic reinforcement  problem behavior often serves a “function” Many problem behaviors are learned and maintained through positive, negative, and/or automatic reinforcement  problem behavior often serves a “function” Can you think of an example of this? Can you think of an example of this?

Functional Behavior Assessment Can identify antecedent variables that can be altered to prevent problem behavior (ex., if a child tantrums when tired, making sure s/he gets enough sleep every night) Can identify antecedent variables that can be altered to prevent problem behavior (ex., if a child tantrums when tired, making sure s/he gets enough sleep every night) Can identify reinforcement contingencies that can be altered so that problem behavior no longer receives reinforcement (ex., not providing attention to a tantruming child) Can identify reinforcement contingencies that can be altered so that problem behavior no longer receives reinforcement (ex., not providing attention to a tantruming child) Can help identify reinforcers for alternative replacement behaviors (ex., rewarding a child with a special treat if s/he deals with anger by taking a time out to calm down vs. hitting his/her sibling) Can help identify reinforcers for alternative replacement behaviors (ex., rewarding a child with a special treat if s/he deals with anger by taking a time out to calm down vs. hitting his/her sibling)

What might be antecedent variables associated with failing grades in school? How could these be altered to avoid having failing grades in school?

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