Behaviorism: Contemplating The Building Blocks

As a Behavior Analyst accepting responsibility will promote the most effective standard of work. Behavior analyst treatment measures effects a variety of individuals involved in a treatment plan. The

This means that the intervention for the client should be in the best interest of the client who is the most vulnerable and in need of behavioral analytic help. The intervention should primarily benefit the client and not necessarily the caregiver or facility. Behavior analysts are required to follow the code of ethics and use evidence-based procedures. The behavior analyst should define the relation and have a clear and concise contract detailing his or her priorities for the intervention to best benefit the client. The behavior analyst should also make sure that the procedures implemented benefit the intended client.

A career action plan in applied behavior analysis will be important in speculating the kind of career to undertake once through with the studies. It can be an excellent tool for a student to develop to ensure swift absorption in the job market or to those wishing to start their own organizations (Cooper, 2007).

To define the problem behavior, it is imperative that the behavior analyst defines the specified behavior in clear, observable and measurable terms. By defining the behavior in terms that are concise, the behavior is able to be viewed in the same manner and recorded properly by all who are involved. For example, when operationally defining a hitting behavior, the behavior analyst may describe a hit as the forward movement of one or both arms that are directed towards another person or object. As stated by Gresham, Gansle and Noell (1993), In terms of operationally defining behaviors, poorly or incompetently defined behaviors make repeatable measurement and evaluation of treatments

They then take the information gleaned from the observations and assessments and form their treatment plans. The ongoing collection of data is what drives behavior analysts’ decisions when it comes to making changes to the plan they have created. This guideline also includes the expectation that, when presenting information for publication or at a conference, behavior analysts present information with the highest degree of integrity (Bailey & Burch, 2011). This integrity is established by the use of the scientific knowledge that the behavior analyst has gained in their training.

can be used to strengthen existing behaviors, as well as learn new ones. Principles of behaviorism can be

I have first-hand experience working with Behavior Analysts and have a full understanding of what the profession entails. As an RBT, I have assisted Behavior Analysts in conducting direct and indirect assessments, as well as with functional analysis during Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA). While assisting with FBAs, I have learned that it requires a considerable amount of time to be conducted properly. My experience assisting Behavior Analysts in conducting FBAs has taught me how to be patient during the process and the importance of accurately collecting reliable data. It is imperative to be meticulous during data collection to ensure the validity of the

Adam’s mom has asked the behavior analyst to use a new treatment she has discovered for sensory integration. Adam’s mom brought in paper work using The Wilbarger Protocol (brushing therapy). This will help Adam with his sensory integration. Adam’s mom brings in all the paperwork showing what the supervisor and the supervisee need to do to brush Adam’s skin 3 times during his behavior therapy treatment. Mellissa the therapist thinks this is outside her scope as well as her supervisors. Mellissa thinks an occupational therapist is needed for this type of therapy. The supervisor reassures the client’s mother that her son will be brushed 3 times throughout his day. The supervisor is not being ethical because she is practicing outside of her scope. She is also putting her supervisee in an unethical situation as well. This is ethical code 5.01 violation. Behavior analyst supervises only within their area of defined competence (Bailey & Burch,

Behaviorism has been a topic of many controversies in the early stages of developing. This paper will present a synthesis of several articles discussing behaviorisms and its development through various schools of theories, in addition known researchers and conclusions. The first article that illustrates behaviorism is, “Behaviorism at 100” by Ledoux (2012), which details the last 50 years of the study of behaviorism. The next article is “Behaviorism” by Moore (2011), maps the beginning of behaviorism with B.F.Skinner and addressing functionalism and structuralism. The article named “Psychology as the behaviorist views it”, written by Watson (1913) put his emphasis the aspects of psychology and how behaviorist view introspection. Green (2009) article “Darwinian Theory functionalism and the First American psychological revolution”, is very adamant to have is readers to know that functionalism was the foundation that behaviorism was built. Clark (2004) article “The classical origins of Pavlov’s conditioning”, give insight into classical conditioning abroad and in the United States. The last article named “Little Albert’s alleged neurological impairment” written by Digdon , Powell and Harris (2014), focus on ethical concerns and that may have been overlooked. The synthesis paper will provide behaviorism and conclusions that can draw overall messages from the articles mentioned above.

Alessandra, Tony. (2011). The DISC Platinum Rule Behavioral Style Assessment. Retrieved March 21, 2011, from

I have been working in the Applied Behavior Analysis field since 2007. I have received my certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2015. Prior to that, I held my BCaBA certification since September 2013. I obtained my Master 's degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2015. I specialize in program development and implementation for in-home ABA services with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder from ages 18 months to 12 years of age. In addition, I specialize in parent training and staff training in Applied Behavior Analysis principles.

According to the professional and ethical compliance code for behavior analysts, behavior analysts must rely on scientific knowledge (1.01) and clients have a right to effective treatment (2.09). This undoubtedly goes against ethics code because scientists don’t recommend FC and have proven that other methods such as Applied Behavior Analysis are more effective. Because of the popularity of FC in the 90’s, proponents continued their adherence to the technique and dismissed evidence investigations as flawed and unnecessary, characterizing FC as an “effective and legitimate intervention” in pro-FC literature (?). They refused to change their minds or admit their mistakes. The FC movement retained some of its popularity and is still being used as of today, controversially. Its use has caused issues for families especially in terms of abuse

Dual relationships, and psychotherapy clients has been the subject of controversy in professional psychology. Generally these relationships are considered to be unethical. (Zur, 2015). Dual relationships in psychotherapy refers to any situation where various roles are present between a therapist and a consumer. Examples of this relationship are when a client is a friend, student, family member, or employer in connection with therapist or the one providing treatment or services.

It has to be effective and cost effective for the client/patients. Behavior therapist must stay current on the most current scientific evidence based interventions and treatments. It important to maintaining competence (APA 2.01), based on their training, supervised experience, consultation, study or professional experience. Psychologists make ongoing efforts to develop and maintain their competence throughout their career (APA, 2010). Furthermore, as behavior analysts we also need to recognize that other professions have ethical codes that may differ in their specific requirements from these

In applied behavior analysis behaviorists use techniques such as functional behavior assessment (FBA), to create functionally-based interventions that target maladaptive behavior. The goal of an FBA is to identify the conditions that predict behavior and the consequences that maintain behavior (Carr et al., 2002). If the link between antecedent, behavior, and consequence can be established, it will be possible to alter a behavior by changing its predictive stimuli and maintaining consequences (Bender, 2015). After forming this link by collecting data, a behavior intervention plan (BIP) will be created to diminish problem behavior (Bender, 2015). This BIP must target the function of the behavior and