Introduction to Introduction to Behavior Analysis and Behavior Analysis and

ManagementManagement

Introduction to Introduction to Behavior Analysis and Behavior Analysis and

ManagementManagement

What exactly is Behavior?

• Behavior is the activity of the living organisms. Human behavior is everything people do, including how they move, what they say, what they think, and feel

Professions that study human behavior

• Business world – Stocks, Housing, Sales, organizational behaviors.– http://money.msn.com/business-news/article.aspx?

symbol=US:MCD&feed=OBR&date=20110124&id=12800121

– Economics and consumer behavior/loyalty– Sales, marketing, Holiday promotions.

• Health- Public health, preventive medicine, behavioral medicine, Clinical settings, Counseling

• http://www.cfah.org/hbns/• http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/2009.cfm• Effects of sleep deprivation in College students driving habits,

diet, academic performance• How does social network improve health?

Professions that study human behavior

• Sports– Why Most Kids Quit Sports– Improving competitiveness, team work, sports

performance– Why professional Athletes demonstrate problematic

behavior• http://www.istadia.com/blog/DanPeterson/402

• Education – Schools, Universities, private/ smaller settings– Students attendance, behavior problems, following

instructions, completion of homework,

Professions that study human behavior

• Social Sciences – sociology, anthropology, study of large groups, cultures, races– Collective behavior– Organizational Behavior– Cultural differences in expression of emotion, non-

verbal behavior, anger, aggression.

• Animal Sciences – study birds/animal behavior– http://puppydogweb.com/articles/

baddogbeahvior.htm– http://www.tufts.edu/vet/behavior/abh.shtml

Factors that Influence Behavior

• Individual Characteristics• Social Contingencies• Environmental Characteristics

Factors that Influence Behavior

• Individual Characteristics– IQ and intellectual abilities– Extrovert vs Introvert personalities– Perceptual and other cognitive deficits– Social and Emotional factors such as self-

perception, self-esteem, self-efficacy, previous experiences

– Learned helplessness– Other factors

Factors that Influence Behavior

• Social Contingencies– Reward, punishment, social stimulation– Group and Social norms– Peer Pressure– Cultural norms, Gender Roles– Social Support– Other factors

Factors that Influence Behavior

• Environmental Characteristics– Organization– Relationship structure– Rules and regulations– Social structures

Examples• List some factors that influence

some common behaviors– Money management– Recycling behavior– Health and Fitness– Group Interactions

Other Areas where Behavior is studied/analyzed

• Social Statistics • Cultural or Global Awareness • Developmental Psychology • Social Development • Social Influence on Consumer Behavior • Group Dynamics • Social Psychology• Psychiatry• Psychotherapy

Few Educational Programs that specialize

on Behavior• Behavioral science majors explore and analyze how human

actions affect relationships and decision making. While behavioral science majors traditionally applied their skills in social work and counseling careers, recent graduates have found high demand for their skills in the business world as companies strive to uncover new ways to overcome their competitors.

• Applied Behavior Analysis: (ABA) is the science of controlling and predicting human behavior. It focuses on the observable relationship of behavior to the environment. By functionally assessing the relationship between a targeted behavior and the environment, the methods of ABA can be used to change that behavior. Research in applied behavior analysis ranges from behavioral intervention methods to basic research which investigates the rules by which humans adapt and maintain behavior.

Behavior Analysis Behavior Analysis Behavior Analysis Behavior Analysis

Some examples of problem behaviors

Health - Poor eating habits, Lack of exercise, smoking, excessive alcohol or caffeine consumption

Interrupting others, ridiculing others, bullyingRepetitive behaviors such as finger tapping,

body rocking, hair twirlingViolent behaviors- hitting others, throwing

things, breaking objectsDisorganization, Hoarding, Cluttering, etc.Incomplete task, Lack of attention to detail,

forgetfulness, frequent errors in task

When should a behavior be modified (increased or decreased)

When it is– Harmful to self or others– Interferes with access or participation– Leads to a socially significant skill

Give examples

Main categories of Behavior

• Reflexive behaviors, part of genetic endowment • Respondent Behavior includes reflexive behaviors

caused by Antecedent Stimuli, can lead to habituation– Bright light – blinking– Loud noise- turning away head, covering ears etc

• Operant Behavior – is any behavior that future frequency is determined by history of consequences. Ex. Reinforcement, punishment etc.

To study Human Behavior

• Conduct Observational studies, interviews, ecological assessment, standardized assessment

• Define the behavior in observable terms• ABC analysis • Find the purpose• Record frequency, duration or latency

Observational Studies• To conduct Observational study of

behavior– Anecdotal notes

• Simple reports of behavior'• Result of direct observation.• Accurate and specific• Gives context of child's behavior• Records typical or unusual behaviors

Observational Studies• Example of Anecdotal Notes

– Child's Name: Melissa C.– Date & Time: 4/23/01 8:45 am– Place or Learning Center: Preschool classroom-free

play– Observed Event & Behaviors:

Melissa sat next to Tina at the reading table. Tina greeted Melissa with "Hi, Melissa! Wanna read a book with me?" Melissa said that she couldn't read. Tina replied, "We can look at the pictures."

Observational StudiesAnecdotal notes• Observations should be ACCURATE, OBJECTIVE AND SPECIFIC.• Observers should not make ASSUMPTIONS or use SUBJECTIVE or AMBIGUOUS

words.• Observations and anecdotes should be on a variety of children and activities. Try to

avoid only writing anecdotes about the "cute things children say."• Remember to ask yourself the following question when observing - "Am I writing things

in such a way that anyone viewing the same scene would write it in the exact same way," and when they close their eyes would see the same scene in their mind's eye?”

• AVOID:Ambiguous/Suggestive Words:

• Crowded Chaotic WildMessy Sloppy Too Many Roughhousing

Words That Convey Assumption:• Intelligent Annoyed Anger

provoked Happiness RudeBored Aggressive Self-EsteemOut Of Control Uninvolved BoisterousEnthusiastic Ill-mannered

•

Example• http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=KeYf-rhMQIQ&feature=relatedWrite an anectodal note about this

video clip

Interviews• What kind of Interview questions

will you ask if Tom Cruise showed up complaining about his brother (Rain man)?

Interviews• Significant others

– Parents, siblings, teachers, friends, others – Ask what, when, how questionsExamples- What was he/she doing when you call him/her

immature? Non-compliant? Aggressive?- How do family members/teachers/others respond to

this behavior?- What situations/places does this behavior happen

most often?- What happens before and after the behavior?- How often does the behavior happen?

Assessments• Checklists and Standardized tests

– Conners Rating Scale– Child Behavior Rating Scale– Adaptive Behavior Scale– Child Behavior Checklist

• http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/files/PHDCN/wave-1-instruments/13582-cbcl.pdf

Ecological Assessments• Analyzing the individual within the

environments, such as home, work, school, play, social gatherings etc.

• Example– Assessing physical aspects,

interactions with others, past reinforcement and punishment history

Ecological Assessments• Examples

– Errors by a Pharmacist– Sleepy Child in classroom– Not maintaining eye contact– Family with Disabilities

How do you decide if the Behavior needs to be

studied?• Is it a necessary or prerequisite skill?• Will it increase access to environments where other

learning can occur?• Is it age appropriate?• Does the behavior cause harm to self or others?• Will the behavior produce reinforcement for self or

significant others? OR, reduce negative/unwanted attention from others.

• If we reduce/eliminate the target behavior, what will replace it?

• What if the goal of the behavior change program in not a specific behavior?

• Cost of the behaviorPrioritize the behavior

Class Activity• Pick a partner• Make a list of behaviors that you

would like to change (either increase/decrease).

• Make sure you have some reasons for changing this behavior.

• Prioritize