The branchers of behavioral analysis - Assignment Example

The Branches of Behavioral Analysis The Branches of Behavioral Analysis There are four domains of behavior analysis. Experimental analysis of behavior refers to the examination of functional relations through a research on fundamental behavior processes in a temporal and biological context (Auburn University, 2010). Ideally, experimental analysis of behavior seeks to identify the fundamental laws of behavior and involves basic research on designed to derive a better understanding on behavior. On the other hand, applied behavior analysis refers to the application of behavioral science in real-world settings with an aim of increasing useful behaviors and reducing harmful behaviors (Hagopian & Boelter, 2012).

Applied behavior analysis addresses behavior problems with a view of modifying human behavior with an aim of developing meaningful and positive behavioral changes (Autism Speaks Inc., 2014). It explores behavior in a social context especially with respect to behavior-environment relationships (Auburn University, 2010). Radical behaviorism asserts that behavior analysis is a natural science and believes that the environment causes behavior (Baum, 2011). Moreover, radical behaviorism claims that we can study and compare human behavior with animal behavior and focuses on operant conditioning (Baum, 2011).

It has unique terminologies, appreciates the genetic and biological endowment, and values personal experience (Baum, 2011). Ultimately, we have service delivery that analysis the effectiveness of services and behaviors in the society. Notably, the article, “The Psychiatric Nurse as a Behavioral Engineer” by Teodoro Ayllon and Jack Michael belongs to the applied behavior analysis branch of behavior analysis as it focuses on the application of behavioral science in a mental hospital (Ayllon & Michael, 1959) with an aim of addressing behavior problems in real-world settings (Hagopian & Boelter, 2012).

On the other hand, the article, “Superstition In the Pigeon” by B. F. Skinner belongs to the experimental analysis of behavior branch of behavior analysis as it entails an experiment on the behavior of an organism (Skinner, 1948), which relates to the examination of functional relations in a temporal and biological context (Auburn University, 2010). Ultimately, the article, “Achieving parity: the role of automatic reinforcement” by David C. Palmer belongs to the radical behaviorism branch of behavior analysis as it focuses on discriminative effects of ones speech upon ones self (Palmer, 1996).

This article recognizes that the environment causes behavior, has unique terminologies, appreciates the genetic and biological endowment, and values personal experience (Baum, 2011).The dependent variable in the experimental article is the number of responses while the independent variable is the stimulus or the reinforcement. The functional relation of the article relates to the fact that reinforcement is contingent upon a response (Skinner, 1948). On the other hand, the dependent variable in the applied article is the disfunction while the independent variable is the patients immediate or historical environment.

The functional relation of the article relates to the fact that strong behaviors or behavioral deficits in mental patients depends on the events occurring in the patients immediate or historical environment (Ayllon & Michael, 1959). Furthermore, the major point of the discussion offered in radical behaviorism article is that the discriminative effects of one’s speech affect ones self (Palmer, 1996).Ideally, Baer, Wolf, and Risley introduced the seven dimensions of applied behavior analysis, which include applied, behavioral, analytic, technological, conceptual systems, effective, and generality (Behavior Analysis Association of Michigan, n.y). Indeed, the applied article meets the applied dimension in that it deals with a mental health problem, which demonstrates great social importance.

It also meets the behavioral dimension in that it deals with a measurable behavior. The applied article meets the analytic dimension in that the objective information on the frequency of the behavior that was a problem to the nurses demonstrated that the procedures caused the effect (Ayllon & Michael, 1959). Moreover, the article meets the technological dimension in that the experimenter described the experiment in a manner that allows anyone with training and resources to implement the interventions.

More so, it meets the conceptual systems dimension in that the behaviors arise from a specific and identifiable theoretical base that relates to the patients immediate or historical environment (Ayllon & Michael, 1959). It also meets the effective dimension in that the applied interventions produced fundamental social and health effects to the nurses and patients. However, the article did not meet the generality dimension in that applied interventions can only apply in a hospital environment and not in a new environment.

ReferencesAuburn University. (2010).Behavior Analysis. Retrieved from: http://www.auburn.edu/~newlamc/apa_div25/index.htmAutism Speaks Inc. (2014). Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Retrieved from: http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/treatment/applied-behavior-analysis-abaAyllon, T., & Michael, J. (1959). The Psychiatric Nurse as a Behavioral Engineer. Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1403907/pdf/jeabehav00203-0061.pdfBaum, W. (2011). What is Radical Behaviorism? A Review of Jay Moores Conceptual Foundations of Radical Behaviorism.

Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3014776/Behavior Analysis Association of Michigan. (n.y). Seven Dimensions of Applied Behavior Analysis. Retrieved from: http://www.baam.emich.edu/baammiscpages/baamsevendimensions.htmHagopian, L., & Boelter, E. (2012). Applied Behavior Analysis and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Retrieved from: http://www.kennedykrieger.org/patient-care/patient-care-programs/inpatient-programs/neurobehavioral-unit-nbu/applied-behavior-analysisPalmer, D. (1996). Achieving parity: the role of automatic reinforcement.

Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1350090/pdf/jeabehav00215-0288.pdfSkinner, B. (1948). Superstition In the Pigeon. Retrieved from: http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Skinner/Pigeon/