| According to BF Skinner, Applied behavior analysis | | | | using three forms of observation or data to determine |
| (ABA) is the scientific approach to describe the | | | | from where the behavior is coming. A pathways chart |
| functional relationship between what we do, which is | | | | can be used to sequentially arrange information (setting |
| the dependent variable, and events hypothesized to be | | | | antecedents), the behavior itself and the |
| the causes of what we do, or the independent | | | | consequences of behavior that might lead to its |
| variable. Behavior is changed by manipulating the | | | | maintenance. It equates to the A, B, C's of the |
| independent or causal variables. Environmental | | | | behavior. The person wants to know what happens |
| variables functionally related to behavior are the most | | | | before the behavior (the Antecedents), what the |
| easily observed and manipulated. Applied behavior | | | | behavior looks like (the Behavior itself), and what that |
| analysis is the science of identifying functional | | | | person is getting out of the behavior, i.e. what function |
| relationships between environmental events and | | | | that behavior serves for the individual (the |
| behavior. The same methods of analyzing and | | | | Consequences). |
| changing behaviors of others can be used to analyze | | | | After analyzing the data, the individual has to formulate |
| and change one's own behavior. This way, one can | | | | and test the hypotheses (plausible explanation |
| gain self-control and continuously create peace, | | | | regarding the function of the behavior). It is important to |
| balance, and harmony within themselves. | | | | identify the function of the behavior in order to |
| The behavior analysis of self-control was introduced | | | | understand why the behavior is happening. Once the |
| by B.F. Skinner in the late 1940's and 1950's. Self-control | | | | "why" of the behavior is identified, the person then |
| is defined as the behavior of an individual that controls | | | | proceeds to what to do and who needs to do it. This |
| that person's future behavior, and it is explained by | | | | is done through a positive behavior intervention plan |
| appealing to variables lying outside the individual. | | | | (BIP). The last thing to do, then, is develop the plan. |
| Self-control is usually evoked when there is a conflict | | | | Positive Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) |
| between positive and negative consequences of | | | | It is very important that the correct positive Behavior |
| behavior. Note that Skinner qualified thinking and feeling | | | | Intervention Plan be developed to properly address the |
| as behaviors. So, self-control is evoked when there is | | | | specific behavior. If an accurate plan is not created, |
| a conflict between positive and negative | | | | additional inappropriate behaviors could result. This is |
| consequences of thoughts, feelings and actions. | | | | why this step of the applied behavioral analysis |
| There are two types of responses that individuals | | | | process is the most difficult. Assuring this fit is by far |
| experience. They are the controlling response and the | | | | the most difficult step in the process of analyzing and |
| controlled response. The controlling type is the | | | | changing behavior. |
| response that changes the probability of some future | | | | The BIP should include positive strategies, programs, |
| behavior. An example of this is when you leave | | | | and supplemental aides and supports required to |
| yourself a note to remind you to do some chore later. | | | | address the behaviors of concern. It is necessary to |
| The controlled type is the response that changes as a | | | | use the data collected during the (FBA) to develop the |
| result of the manipulation of variables. Thus, you left a | | | | plan and determine the discrepancy between the |
| note as a controlling response. Now, to be controlled, | | | | person's actual and expected behavior. The BIP's that |
| you see the note and you do the chore. This is all part | | | | emphasize skills needed by the person to behave in a |
| of what is called a functional behavior assessment | | | | more appropriate manner and that provide appropriate |
| (FBA). Really, an FBA is the means to identify the | | | | motivation will be more effective than plans that simply |
| reasons for a behavior. The use of a functional | | | | control behavior. Both the source of the problem and |
| behavior assessment determines specific contributors | | | | the problem itself need to be addressed. An accurate |
| to behavior. | | | | BIP will foster the expression of needs in an |
| Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) | | | | appropriate manner. |
| There are several steps in order to do a proper | | | | Overall, the key to any BIP is that it needs to be |
| Functional Behavioral Analysis (FBA). First, one has to | | | | evaluated, and there are two evaluation procedures |
| verify the seriousness of the problem and have a | | | | which can be called the "m and m's". The first "m" is to |
| desire to change the behavior. Second, that person | | | | monitor the consistency of the implementation of the |
| has to define the problem in concrete terms by | | | | plan. The plan needs to be implemented on a daily |
| pinpointing the behavior causing the problems and | | | | basis. It is not going to work on sporadic |
| define that behavior in terms that are simple to | | | | implementation. The second "m" is measure. The |
| measure and record. Third, the individual has to collect | | | | changes in behavior need to be measured. Are you |
| data on possible causes of the behaviors. Is the | | | | getting out of the BIP what you want to get out of it? |
| behavior linked to a skill deficit? Is knowledge about | | | | Are you seeing more appropriate behaviors, more |
| how to perform the skill lacking? Is the skill there but is | | | | positive behaviors? Lastly, in addition to all of the |
| not performed? These are all questions that are asked | | | | previous steps of creating an accurate BIP, individuals |
| during an FBA. Fourth, one must analyze the data. A | | | | must determine a time-line for implementation and |
| data triangulation chart is useful in identifying possible | | | | assessment and specify how much behavior change |
| stimulus-response patterns. Triangulation means it's | | | | is required to meet the goal of the intervention. |