Philosophical Assumptions
Discussion: Philosophical Assumptions
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The behavior of the scientists of applied behavior analysis is characterized by a set of philosophical assumptions and attitudes of science. They guide the work of the behavior analyst, including their investigations, strategic approaches, and interpretations of findings.
For this Discussion, you will analyze six assumptions and attitudes of behavior analysis discussed in the Learning Resources—determinism, empiricism, experimentation, replication, parsimony, and philosophic doubt. You will also consider examples of how the assumptions apply to the study of behavior.
To Prepare
- Review the Learning Resources for this week as well as the required weekly media program to gain an understanding of the philosophical assumptions that inform the practice of behavior analysis.
- Consider examples of how the philosophical assumptions apply to the study of human behavior.
- Review the interactive media in the Learning Resources, “Six Assumptions or Attitudes of Behavior Analysis.”
By Day 4 of Week 2
The behavior of scientists, including behavior analysts, is characterized by a common set of assumptions: determinism, empiricism, experimentation, replication, parsimony, and philosophic doubt.
Post two of these assumptions and give an example of how each applies to the study of human behavior.
Read your colleagues’ postings.
Note: For this discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the To Participate in this Discussion link, then select Create Thread to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Submit!
By Day 6 of Week 2
Respond to at least two colleagues’ posts by expanding on each of their explanations of how the assumptions they identified in their examples apply to the study of human behavior.
Be sure to support your posts and responses with specific references to behavior-analytic theory and research. In addition to the Learning Resources, search the Walden Library and/or internet for peer-reviewed articles to support your posts and responses. Use proper APA format and citations, including those in the Learning Resources.
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights that you have gained because of your colleagues’ comments.
The term determinism in the field of behavior analysis means that everything happens for a reason and something causes a behavior. Behaviors are not random. This applies to the study of human behavior because something researchers are looking for while studying behavior is what is causing the behavior. We must know what the cause of the behavior is before implementing any kind of intervention plan. The term parsimony means considering the simplest answer first. This is important when studying human behavior because looking too far into a cause of a behavior could result in us missing the actual cause and implementing a intervention plan that is ineffective. For example, If a researcher assumes self injurous behavior is caused by the function of attention or escape when the actual cause is health related, such as an upset stomach, an ineffective elaborate intervention plan will be implemented when in reality a visit to the doctors could reduce the behavior.
Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2020). Applied behavior analysis (3rd ed.). Pearson.
