Antecedents are stimuli that occur before a behavior and can influence behaviors. MOs and SDs are types of antecedents that play an important role in the occurrence of behaviors. Understanding the impact of these antecedents allows behavior analysts to manipulate these variables and influence client behavior in a meaningful way.
Instructions
For this assignment, use the template Motivating Operations and Discriminative Stimuli [DOCX].
- This template has one column for similarities and one column for differences. In a bulleted format, fill in your analysis of the two concepts, placing similarities in the left column and differences in the right column.
- There should be two or three examples in each column.
Once you fill out the similarities and differences, do the following below the columns:
- Identify and describe three real situations from your environment or experience (please identify MOs and SDs in each of your examples).
- There should be both an MO and SD in each example to show how these terms work together.
- Identify which antecedent variable is the MO and which is the SD. Describe how they work together in the example you provided.
Assignment Requirements
Your assignment should meet the following requirements:
- Written communication: Should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
- APA formatting: References and citations are formatted according to current APA style guidelines. Use Academic WriterLinks to an external site. for guidance in citing sources in proper APA style. See the Writing CenterLinks to an external site. for more APA resources specific to your degree level.
- Resources: 2–3 scholarly or professional resources. Resources should include the course text and a combination of seminal works.
- Length: 2–3 double-spaced pages of content, in addition to the title page and references page.
Refer to the MS in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Research GuideLinks to an external site. for help finding resources.
Please refer to the MOs and SDs rubric to ensure you understand the grading criteria for this assignment.
| MOs and SDs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Criteria | Ratings | Pts |
| Analyze the similarities and differences between motivating operations and discriminative stimuli. |
51 to >43.35 pts DISTINGUISHED Analyzes and evaluates the similarities and differences between motivating operations and discriminative stimuli using support from scholarly sources. 43.35 to >35.7 pts PROFICIENT Analyzes the similarities and differences between motivating operations and discriminative stimuli. 35.7 to >0 pts BASIC Analyzes either the similarities or the differences between motivating operations and discriminative stimuli, but not both. 0 pts NON_PERFORMANCE Does not analyze the similarities or differences between motivating operations and discriminative stimuli. |
/ 51 pts |
|
Identify relevant antecedent variables from real-life situations. |
34 to >28.9 pts DISTINGUISHED Identifies and describes relevant antecedent variables from real-life situations. 28.9 to >23.8 pts PROFICIENT Identifies relevant antecedent variables from real-life situations. 23.8 to >0 pts BASIC Identifies antecedent variables, but the variables are not relevant to real-life situations. 0 pts NON_PERFORMANCE Does not identify antecedent variables. |
/ 34 pts |
|
Provide examples of both the motivating operation and discriminative stimulus working together. |
51 to >43.35 pts DISTINGUISHED Explains and provides examples of both the motivating operation and discriminative stimulus working together. 43.35 to >35.7 pts PROFICIENT Provides examples of both the motivating operation and discriminative stimulus working together. 35.7 to >0 pts BASIC Provides an example of a motivating operation or a discriminative stimulus, but not both. 0 pts NON_PERFORMANCE Does not provide an example with a motivating operation and discriminative stimulus. |
/ 51 pts |
|
Demonstrate an academic writing style through well-organized prose that follows assignment guidelines. |
17 to >14.45 pts DISTINGUISHED Demonstrates an academic writing style through well-organized prose that contains no significant grammatical or mechanical errors and follows assignment guidelines. 14.45 to >11.9 pts PROFICIENT Demonstrates an academic writing style through well-organized prose that follows assignment guidelines. 11.9 to >0 pts BASIC Demonstrates minimally acceptable writing style, but still has instances of disorganization and grammatical or mechanical errors, or does not follow all assignment guidelines. 0 pts NON_PERFORMANCE Does not demonstrate an academic writing style. |
/ 17 pts |
|
Demonstrate compliance with APA style, citation, and referencing guidelines. |
17 to >14.45 pts DISTINGUISHED Develops a paper that is fully compliant with APA style, citation, and referencing guidelines. 14.45 to >11.9 pts PROFICIENT Demonstrates compliance with APA style, citation, and referencing guidelines. 11.9 to >0 pts BASIC Demonstrates minimally acceptable compliance with APA style, citation, and referencing guidelines. 0 pts NON_PERFORMANCE Does not demonstrate compliance with APA style, citation, and referencing guidelines. |
/ 17 pts |
