PSYC 6717 Philosophical Assumptions Discussion
The study of applied behavior analysis is undergirded by a common set of philosophical tenants. Determinism is one of these. It is a belief that all behaviors occur as a result of preceding causes. Much of the early behavioral theory emerged from this philosophical position. For example, in his work Setting the Stages for Behaviorism’s Social Action Legacy (1913), B.F. Watson argued that environment is the single most influential factor that determines one’s behavior. Watson’s belief was that the preexisting conditions of environment was a greater influence on behavior that even one’s s genetics or temperament. Watson’s contemporaries, Skinner, and others shared these beliefs. Skinner promoted that all behaviors occur as a result of determined reinforcement contingencies (Brent, D. Slife, Yanchar, & Williams, 1999) PSYC 6717 Philosophical Assumptions Discussion.
In terms of the applicability of determinism to the study of human behavior, determinism is a predicate of operant conditioning. Similar to early deterministic views, this approach to behavior is based on a casual relationship between an antecedent or existing condition exists to which a stimulus is introduced to change a behavior.
Another philosophical underpinning of behavior analysis is empiricism. Empiricism is objective observation and drawing inferences from data that can be collected, recorded, measured, and analyzed from these observations (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2020). It is a scientific approach to understanding human behavior and its consequences.
In terms of its applicability to the study of behavior, it aligns with the assertion that human behavior is a phenomenon that can be observed. Empiricism can be applied to behavior by observing, recording, and drawing inference from the behavioral manifestations of what one is thinking, feeling, and experiencing PSYC 6717 Philosophical Assumptions Discussion.
References
Brent, D. Slife, S. Yanchar. C. & Williams, B. (1999). Conceptions of Determinism in Radical Behaviorism: A Taxonomy. Behavior and Philosophy 27, (2), 75-96.
Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2020). Applied behavior analysis (3rd ed.). Pearson.
Watson, J. (1913). Setting the Stages for Behaviorism’s Social Action Legacy. Retrieved from http://rmac-mx.org/john-b-watsons-1913-behaviorist-manifestosetting-the-stage-for-behaviorisms-social-action-legacy/ PSYC 6717 Philosophical Assumptions Discussion
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.”PSYC 6717 Philosophical Assumptions Discussion
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.
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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.
Parsimony considers a “simple, logical explanation for something before taking into account something much more complex or advanced” (Walden university, 2021). Philosophic doubt questions everything when it comes to understanding human behavior” (Walden university, 2021). Parsimony assumption allows room for the introduction of new material it helps to explain a behavior without over complicating it. I think accepting a simpler explanation helps behavioralist minimize assumptions about a behavior to maintain how credible they are on the matter. Philosophic doubt is utilized to leave room for new findings. It sheds light on the idea that there is always something better to keep expanding the knowledge about a specific area. Not questioning anything prevents the knowledge of a certain area from growing and it stunts the capabilities of how far the area could go PSYC 6717 Philosophical Assumptions Discussion.
References
Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2020). Applied behavior analysis (3rd ed.). Pearson.
Walden University, LLC. (2021). Six assumptions and attitudes of behavior analysis [Interactive media]. Walden University Blackboard. https://class.waldenu.edu
response
Hi xx, I agree with your assessments regarding parsimony and philosophic doubt. Not only does parsimony employ the common sense use of applying the simplest explanation as that is usually the case, it also gives professionals a standard to use across the board. Using the same idea as a starting point keeps ideas and facts organized and on task easier. As far as philosophic doubt goes, some people might think it’s easy to dismiss if we think we have concrete, undeniable proof of something. However, it’s been proven time and time again that applying philosophic doubt to scientific issues that we’ve previously thought we knew well, turned out to offer either deeper insight, or new meaning altogether (Cooper 2020). It sort of goes hand in hand with our society and technology as well, because those two areas are ever-expanding too.
Reference
Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2020). Applied behavior analysis (3rd ed.). Pearson.
Walden University, LLC. (2021). Six assumptions and attitudes of behavior analysis [Interactive media]. Walden University Blackboard. https://class.waldenu.edu PSYC 6717 Philosophical Assumptions Discussion