This assignment assesses the following Course Outcomes:
PS558-1: Explain the philosophical foundations underlying the science of behavior analysis.
PS558-2: Explain behavior from the perspective of radical behaviorism.
PS558-3: Examine the goals of behavior analysis as a science.
Foundations of Behavior Analysis
Throughout the first half of this course, you have explored the history of behaviorism and the roots of applied behavior analysis in the philosophy and practices of natural science. In this assignment, you will have the opportunity to synthesize the knowledge you have gained.
For this assignment, you will provide a long-answer essay response to each of the questions below. For each question, you are encouraged to use the peer-reviewed resources provided throughout the units to support your responses. Please do not copy and paste the whole question into the document. Rather, use APA format section headings to organize your paper, with separate sections for each question. Use the rubric and the assignment prompts as guides to be sure you address all topics. Be sure to use the sources provided so far in the course and support your work throughout with in-text citations and a reference list at the end of your paper.
Please respond to the following:
Compare the three branches of behavior analysis (behaviorism, EAB, and ABA).
Explain how the evolving historical and philosophical perspectives of behaviorism have influenced the study of applied behavior analysis as a natural science.
Name at least four important figures who have developed and furthered the science of behavior analysis and, specifically, discuss their contributions to the field.
Define radical behaviorism.
Explain the ways in which radical behaviorism attempts to create a set of universal laws to understand all behavior.
How does radical behaviorism differentiate between private events and public events?
How does the distinction between private events and public events relate to a distinction between mentalistic and environmental explanations for behavior?
In radical behaviorism, which explanation is preferred and why?
Explain the six attitudes/assumptions of experimental analysis of behavior, the goals of behavior analysis as a science, and the seven dimensions of applied behavior analysis.
Examine how each of these areas contribute to the development of a technology that is used to influence socially significant behavior.
Your assignment should be 8–10 pages, not including the title and reference pages, and should include the following elements:
Title Page: Provide the assignment title, your name, course and section number, instructor name, and date.
Body: Include an introductory and a concluding paragraph. Answer all the questions in complete sentences and paragraphs, using appropriate personal and professional insights.
The assignment must be written in Standard English and demonstrate superior organization, including a highly developed viewpoint and purpose that is clearly established and sustained. The communication of your thoughts must be highly ordered, logical, and unified, displaying exceptional content, organization, style, and mechanics (including the use of correct grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure).
Your responses should meet professional writing standards, using proper tone and language. The writing and writing style should be correct and accurate and reflect knowledge of applied behavior analysis.
Reference Page: Sources listed in APA format.
Include a minimum of five scholarly peer-reviewed sources to support your responses and conclusions.
Use Arial or Times New Roman 12-point font, double-spaced and left aligned.
Use standard 1″ margins on all sides.
Use current APA formatting and citation style.
If you need assistance with APA style, please visit the Academic Writer
