Manual and Test Bank
for
1
, Chapter 1
Roots of Applied Behavior Analysis
Chapter Objectives
After reading this chapter, students will have an understanding of:
1. The criteria required for identifying explanations of behavior that are useful and meaningful
2. The historical development of applied behavior analysis
3. The contributions of physicians, psychiatrists, scientists, and psychologists in the study of human behavior
4. The impact different interpretations of human behavior have influenced practitioners and teachers
Chapter Summary and Outline
This chapter discusses the requirements for meaningful and useful explanations of human behavior. It then describes
several interpretations of human behavior that have influenced large numbers of practitioners, including teachers.
The discussion includes tracing the historical development of a way of understanding and predicting human
behavior called applied behavior analysis. The chapter concludes by providing several examples of applied behavior
analysis in action.
I. The Usefulness of Explanations
Why are explanations for behavior important?
What requirements must be met in order to make an explanation useful?
Inclusiveness
Verifiability
Predictive Utility
Parsimony
II. Biophysical and Biochemical Explanations
How have theorists searched for explanations for human behavior within the physical structure of
the body?
Biophysical Explanations (Genetic and Hereditary Effects)
Biochemical Explanations (Brain Damage)
Usefulness of Biophysical and Biochemical Explanations
III. Developmental Explanations
What theories attempt to explain behavior based on fixed, innate developmental sequences?
Psychoanalytic Theory
A Stage Theory of Cognitive Development
The Usefulness of Developmental Theories
IV. Cognitive Explanation
What theory attempts to explain behavior based on people’s perception of reality?
Gestalt Psychology
The Usefulness of Cognitive Theory
V. Behavioral Explanation
What principles does the behaviorist apply to explain the development of both typical and atypical
human behavior?
Positive Reinforcement
Negative Reinforcement
Punishment
Extinction
Antecedent Control
1
, Other Learning Principles
The Task of the Behaviorist
The Usefulness of the Behavioral Explanation
VI. Historical Development of Behaviorism
Where did behaviorism originate?
Historical Precedents
Psychological Antecedents
1. Respondent Conditioning
Ivan Pavlov
2. Associationism
Edward Thorndike
3. Behaviorism
John Watson
4. Operant Conditioning
B.F. Skinner
VII. Summary
VIII. Discussion Questions
In Class Activities
Activity Resource
Provide an overview of the chapter. Slide 1.2:
Overview of Chapter 1
Define the terms inclusive, verifiable, predictive Slide 1.3:
utility, and parsimony. Usefulness Criteria
Provide an overview of the biophysical explanation Slide 1.4:
of human behavior; introduce dominant and Biophysical and Biochemical Explanation of
recessive genetic inheritance. Human Behavior
Describe how dominant genetic traits are passed Slide 1.5:
from parents to their child. Dominant Genetic Inheritance
Describe how recessive genetic traits are passed Slide 1.6:
from parents to their child. Recessive Genetic Inheritance
Provide an overview of biochemical explanation of Slide 1.7:
human behavior. Biophysical and Biochemical Explanation of
Human Behavior
Discuss the usefulness of the biophysical and Slide 1.8:
biochemical explanation of human behavior using Usefulness of Biophysical and Biochemical
the criteria inclusiveness, verifiability, predictive Explanation of Human Behavior
utility, and parsimony.
Introduce the second explanation of human Slide 1.9:
behavior, developmental explanation. Briefly Developmental Explanation of Human Behavior
discuss the two developmental theories that address
human behavior.
Show video on Sigmund Freud. Biography-Sigmund Freud (1997). VHS. A & E
Home Video. 58 min.
Describe Jean Piaget’s Stage Theory of Cognitive Slide 1.9:
Development. Define assimilation, accommodation, Developmental Explanation of Human Behavior
and equilibration.
Activity Resource
2
, Piaget’s Developmental Theory: An Overview.
Show video on Jean Piaget. (1989). VHS. San Luis Obispo, CA: Davidson
Films Inc. 25 min.
Slide 1.10:
Compare and contrast the Psychoanalytic Theory A Comparison of Freudian and
and Stage Theory of Cognitive Development. Piagetian Theories
Handout 1.1:
A Comparison of Freudian and
Piagetian Theories
Discuss the usefulness of the developmental Slide 1.11:
explanation of human behavior using the criteria of Usefulness of Developmental Explanation of
inclusiveness, verifiability, predictive utility, and Human Behavior
parsimony.
Define how Gestalt psychology has influenced Slide 1.12:
education. Ask students to summarize what useful Cognitive Explanation of Human Behavior
information they may gain from cognitive
information about their students.
Discuss the usefulness of the cognitive explanation Slide 1.13:
of human behavior using the criteria of Usefulness of Cognitive Explanation of Human
inclusiveness, verifiability, predictive utility, and Behavior
parsimony.
Identify the fourth explanation of human behavior, Slide 1.14:
the behavioral explanation. Discuss the focus of a Behavioral Explanations of Human Behavior:
behavioral explanation of human behavior.
Discuss and define the following important concepts Slide 1.15 to 1.16:
in the behavioral explanation: positive Important Concepts of Behavioral
reinforcement, negative reinforcement, punishment, Explanation
extinction, antecedent control, stimulus control,
setting events, modeling, and shaping.
Discuss the usefulness of the behavioral explanation Slide 1.17:
of human behavior using the criteria of Usefulness of Behavioral Explanation of Human
inclusiveness, verifiability, predictive utility, and Behavior
parsimony.
Review the 4 theoretical explanations of human Slide 1.18:
behavior using the criteria of inclusiveness, Usefulness of Explanations of Human Behavior
verifiability, predictive utility, and parsimony. Handout 1.2:
Usefulness of Explanations of
Human Behavior
Discuss the historical development of behaviorism Slide 1.19 to 1.20:
from respondent conditioning through to operant Historical Development of
conditioning. Behaviorism
B.F.Skinner: A Fresh Appraisal. (1999).
VHS. San Luis Obispo, CA: Davidson
Films Inc. 40 min.
Show videos of B.F. Skinner His Own Best Subject: A Visit to B.F.
Skinner’s Basement. VHS. San Luis
Obispo, CA: Davidson Films Inc. 20 min.
Define the term applied behavior analysis. Slide 1.21:
Applied Behavior Analysis
Discuss the 7 characteristics of research that is Slide 1.22:
classified as applied behavior analysis by Baer, 7 Characteristics of Research to Qualify as
Wolf, & Risely (1968). Applied Behavior Analysis
3
for
1
, Chapter 1
Roots of Applied Behavior Analysis
Chapter Objectives
After reading this chapter, students will have an understanding of:
1. The criteria required for identifying explanations of behavior that are useful and meaningful
2. The historical development of applied behavior analysis
3. The contributions of physicians, psychiatrists, scientists, and psychologists in the study of human behavior
4. The impact different interpretations of human behavior have influenced practitioners and teachers
Chapter Summary and Outline
This chapter discusses the requirements for meaningful and useful explanations of human behavior. It then describes
several interpretations of human behavior that have influenced large numbers of practitioners, including teachers.
The discussion includes tracing the historical development of a way of understanding and predicting human
behavior called applied behavior analysis. The chapter concludes by providing several examples of applied behavior
analysis in action.
I. The Usefulness of Explanations
Why are explanations for behavior important?
What requirements must be met in order to make an explanation useful?
Inclusiveness
Verifiability
Predictive Utility
Parsimony
II. Biophysical and Biochemical Explanations
How have theorists searched for explanations for human behavior within the physical structure of
the body?
Biophysical Explanations (Genetic and Hereditary Effects)
Biochemical Explanations (Brain Damage)
Usefulness of Biophysical and Biochemical Explanations
III. Developmental Explanations
What theories attempt to explain behavior based on fixed, innate developmental sequences?
Psychoanalytic Theory
A Stage Theory of Cognitive Development
The Usefulness of Developmental Theories
IV. Cognitive Explanation
What theory attempts to explain behavior based on people’s perception of reality?
Gestalt Psychology
The Usefulness of Cognitive Theory
V. Behavioral Explanation
What principles does the behaviorist apply to explain the development of both typical and atypical
human behavior?
Positive Reinforcement
Negative Reinforcement
Punishment
Extinction
Antecedent Control
1
, Other Learning Principles
The Task of the Behaviorist
The Usefulness of the Behavioral Explanation
VI. Historical Development of Behaviorism
Where did behaviorism originate?
Historical Precedents
Psychological Antecedents
1. Respondent Conditioning
Ivan Pavlov
2. Associationism
Edward Thorndike
3. Behaviorism
John Watson
4. Operant Conditioning
B.F. Skinner
VII. Summary
VIII. Discussion Questions
In Class Activities
Activity Resource
Provide an overview of the chapter. Slide 1.2:
Overview of Chapter 1
Define the terms inclusive, verifiable, predictive Slide 1.3:
utility, and parsimony. Usefulness Criteria
Provide an overview of the biophysical explanation Slide 1.4:
of human behavior; introduce dominant and Biophysical and Biochemical Explanation of
recessive genetic inheritance. Human Behavior
Describe how dominant genetic traits are passed Slide 1.5:
from parents to their child. Dominant Genetic Inheritance
Describe how recessive genetic traits are passed Slide 1.6:
from parents to their child. Recessive Genetic Inheritance
Provide an overview of biochemical explanation of Slide 1.7:
human behavior. Biophysical and Biochemical Explanation of
Human Behavior
Discuss the usefulness of the biophysical and Slide 1.8:
biochemical explanation of human behavior using Usefulness of Biophysical and Biochemical
the criteria inclusiveness, verifiability, predictive Explanation of Human Behavior
utility, and parsimony.
Introduce the second explanation of human Slide 1.9:
behavior, developmental explanation. Briefly Developmental Explanation of Human Behavior
discuss the two developmental theories that address
human behavior.
Show video on Sigmund Freud. Biography-Sigmund Freud (1997). VHS. A & E
Home Video. 58 min.
Describe Jean Piaget’s Stage Theory of Cognitive Slide 1.9:
Development. Define assimilation, accommodation, Developmental Explanation of Human Behavior
and equilibration.
Activity Resource
2
, Piaget’s Developmental Theory: An Overview.
Show video on Jean Piaget. (1989). VHS. San Luis Obispo, CA: Davidson
Films Inc. 25 min.
Slide 1.10:
Compare and contrast the Psychoanalytic Theory A Comparison of Freudian and
and Stage Theory of Cognitive Development. Piagetian Theories
Handout 1.1:
A Comparison of Freudian and
Piagetian Theories
Discuss the usefulness of the developmental Slide 1.11:
explanation of human behavior using the criteria of Usefulness of Developmental Explanation of
inclusiveness, verifiability, predictive utility, and Human Behavior
parsimony.
Define how Gestalt psychology has influenced Slide 1.12:
education. Ask students to summarize what useful Cognitive Explanation of Human Behavior
information they may gain from cognitive
information about their students.
Discuss the usefulness of the cognitive explanation Slide 1.13:
of human behavior using the criteria of Usefulness of Cognitive Explanation of Human
inclusiveness, verifiability, predictive utility, and Behavior
parsimony.
Identify the fourth explanation of human behavior, Slide 1.14:
the behavioral explanation. Discuss the focus of a Behavioral Explanations of Human Behavior:
behavioral explanation of human behavior.
Discuss and define the following important concepts Slide 1.15 to 1.16:
in the behavioral explanation: positive Important Concepts of Behavioral
reinforcement, negative reinforcement, punishment, Explanation
extinction, antecedent control, stimulus control,
setting events, modeling, and shaping.
Discuss the usefulness of the behavioral explanation Slide 1.17:
of human behavior using the criteria of Usefulness of Behavioral Explanation of Human
inclusiveness, verifiability, predictive utility, and Behavior
parsimony.
Review the 4 theoretical explanations of human Slide 1.18:
behavior using the criteria of inclusiveness, Usefulness of Explanations of Human Behavior
verifiability, predictive utility, and parsimony. Handout 1.2:
Usefulness of Explanations of
Human Behavior
Discuss the historical development of behaviorism Slide 1.19 to 1.20:
from respondent conditioning through to operant Historical Development of
conditioning. Behaviorism
B.F.Skinner: A Fresh Appraisal. (1999).
VHS. San Luis Obispo, CA: Davidson
Films Inc. 40 min.
Show videos of B.F. Skinner His Own Best Subject: A Visit to B.F.
Skinner’s Basement. VHS. San Luis
Obispo, CA: Davidson Films Inc. 20 min.
Define the term applied behavior analysis. Slide 1.21:
Applied Behavior Analysis
Discuss the 7 characteristics of research that is Slide 1.22:
classified as applied behavior analysis by Baer, 7 Characteristics of Research to Qualify as
Wolf, & Risely (1968). Applied Behavior Analysis
3