A-2. Explain the philosophical assumptions underlying the science of behavior analysis(e.g., selectionism, determinism, empricism, parsimony, pragmatism)

6 Attitudes of Science can also be called the Assumptions of Behavior Analysis

 

Parsimony #simplestexplanations #simplesttheory

• all simple and logical explanations must be ruled out before considering more complex explanations. 
• considered when making clinical decisions.
• if the simple answer works, there is no need to add anything additional,
• if it doesn't work, then you can systematically increase the complexity of your clinical decision.

 

 

Empiricism #facts #objective #datadriven #evidence-based

• Experimental, data-based approach, drawing upon observation and experience and requires objective quantification, repeated measurement and a thorough description of events.

 

Determinism #lawfulness, cause+effect #xcausey 

• Lawfulness of behavior
• Every behavior occurs for a reason
• Behavior is predictable and has cause and effect relations of the environment and behavior and the world is an orderly place
• Behavior occurs for a reason, there are certain conditions that cause the behavior to occur
• In a perfect world, it can be assumed that control can be held constant and one will always achieve the same results when setting up the conditions the same way for multiple trials.

 

Selectionism #Darwin

• Skinner used selectionism to create radical behaviorism.
• The belief that all forms of life evolve as a result of selection with respect to function.
• Behaviors that result in the best outcomes are selected and survive leading to more adaptive repertoires.
• Known as selection by consequences
• Phylogenic: Natural evolution of species(Darwinism). discipline in biology.
• Ontogeny: selection by consequeces that occur during an individual's lifetime(evolutions of species). It is learinig that results from an organim's interactions with their enviroment.
• Cultural: a source of behavioral adaptation where  the evolution of species occurs due to imitation and modeling of others' behavior. We learn by watching others' behaviors.

 

Pragmatism

• A practical approach to dealing with problems of behavior,
• source that Skinner referenced for Radical Behaviorism
• AB-because-of-C philosophy
• The relation between the setting(A) and the behavior(B) is because of the consequence(C)
• ex, "How to things come to be as they are?" "How can thins be changed?"

 

Philosophic doubt

• To healthy skepticism