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Get Help Now!Human behavior is a very complex phenomenon that is influenced by a host of intricate and mutually reinforcing factors. These are derived from the external environment and/or the internal self. Thus understanding and shaping the same requires a clear discernment of how the various factors interlink and ultimately affect the wellbeing of the given individual. Various theories have been put forth to define human behavior since historical times. Likewise, developments have been made to the respective conventional theories with time and seemingly, modern theories present richer and more informed concepts in this regard. One such psychological system that has undergone vital developments is the Applied Behavioral Analysis. It is against this background that this paper provides and intrinsic analysis of Applied Behavioral Analysis system. In particular, it seeks to provide a succinct summary of the system, prominent persons involved as well as the applications of the same. Later, it traces the underlying influences that were precursors to the development of the system.
Applied behavioral analysis is cited to constitute one of the three main fields of that are employed n evaluating human behavior. The two other facets comprise of behaviorism and experimental evaluation of behavior. Basically, it refers to a scientific principle that employs behavioral analysis concepts to systematically improve human behavior to a level that it attains social acceptance (Steege & Charles, 2007). In order to attain this ideal situation, experimentation is employed in identification of various variables that play a critical role in behavior change. The development of this system dates back to 1913 when John Watson cited that observable human behavior is psychologically inclined. In particular, he implicated environmental factors for stimulating relevant body response. This was further taken up by Skinner who provided a clear comparison between operant and respondent conditioning that had initially been put forth by Ivan Pavlov. In this, he ascertained that the outcomes of a given behavior influence the actions that an individual pursues in future. Furthermore, Skinner went ahead to underscore the fundamental dimensions of behavior.
Further developments were made by Baer, Risley and Wolf in 1968. In their study, they provided a comprehensive description of seven main aspects of this system (Malott, 2008). The main developments made to this system are attributable to Cooper, Heward and Heron. Specifically, they added, five characteristics to the conventional seven. Nevertheless, it is widely agreed that the traditional seven propositions are still recognized as a standard description of the system.
The seven main concepts include applied, behavioral, analytic, technological, conceptually systematic, effective and generality. By applied, studies indicate that the scientists do not entirely depend on the respective behavior of the individual, rather they also put n consideration the implications of the changes of behavior to the respective individual. The concept of behavioral indicates that the aspect in question needs to restrict itself to human behavior and not the relative problems. Analytic in this respect implies the application of various measurements and respective interventions in definition of a specific behavioral pattern. The measures are fundamental in explaining how behavior changes under different circumstances.
Technological in this regard means that the evaluation should strive at eliminating any incidences of ambiguity that can compromise the application of the findings in several other cases. In this respect, it is argued that the findings should be easily replicated in other cases, apart from the specific one under review. The term conceptually systematic with respect to Applied Behavioral Analysis implies that the interpretation of the results should be based on the basic principles that are employed in the same. This seeks to ensure that the results are derived from the fundamental aspects that define the procedure (Malott, 2008). The concept of effectiveness implies that the techniques employed in a given procedure met the goals of attaining desirable behavioral changes. In particular, it implies that the procedure should have a significant degree of practicality as opposed to theoretical importance. Finally, generality in this regard is used to show that the findings need to be long lasting, should be applicable in varied environments as well as to other behaviors that cannot be treated by the given intervention. Furthermore, this concept anticipated continued desirable change even after the given intervention has been withdrawn.
The other attributes that were proposed in 2005 include optimism, empowerment, the system being doable, accountability and publicity. Accountability implies that the system can be accredited by the constant revisions and approvals that the scientists undertake as opposed to mere guesses. Publicity means that the behavior under review is visible to the public and can be ascertained by the same to be defective. In addition, the changes in the same are also visible to the public and are arguably desirable. By the system being doable, it implies that the intrinsic procedures can be effectively implemented by all types of individuals willing to assume the same. Empowerment in this respect shows that the system equips the scientists with relevant and viable skills that further boost their confidence in the respective field of specification.
Finally, the system has been ascertained to be optimistic because of the fact that the outcomes are desirable and seek to impact positively not only on the patients but on the scientists too. The desirable changes imply that the procedure is prospective and can be considered to be effective even in future. The system is applicable to various social fields that range from language acquisition, sports, environmental management, health exercise, education, gerontology and natural resource conservation to parenting, medical procedures, sports and mental disorders. The most common use of relative interventions is in the treatments of autism spectrum disorders.
The main developments in this system have been cited to have been triggered by various factors. To begin with, the increase in the prevalence of autism related disorder in children during the 1960s is cited to have prompted the application of the procedure by Ivar Lovaas (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, 2009). Specifically, it is indicated that the application this increased significantly to close to forty sessions in a week. The relative improvements in the children increased the interest of the doctor in the system and are posited to have influenced the same to make the relative changes. In this respect, it is indicated that the children who were exposed to the system had significant improvements in their health as compared to their counterparts who were not exposed to the same.
Further, it can be indicated that the increased dynamism in the job environment prompted the relative developments. In this respect, it cannot be disputed that the changes in the job environment had various implications on the behavior of the public. Notably, the environment between the two eras differs significantly and unlike at the time of is development, the current environment requires a high degree of flexibility and adaptability. In addition, the relative behavioral changes need to have a positive impact on the holistic wellbeing of the individuals. Since this is at the core of the main goals of the system, it can be speculated that the changes were made to accommodate the emergent changes that are relatively multi faceted in nature.
Then, the changing value system can be considered to be responsible for the most recent changes that were made to the system. In this respect, studies ascertain that the current society holds accountability and openness in high regard. These are considered to be fundamental for executive functioning of the society and they are greatly revered by the same. They are employed in defining the important value of honesty and credibility from a social point of view. Unlike the past, the society plays a significant role in determining and shaping the behavior of the individuals. As such, it was deemed imperative to mainstream the respective values in the system, especially considering the fact that it has proved effective in enhancing behavioral changes through time.
In addition, aspects such as effective communication can be considered to have characterized some of the emergent modernistic values that were considered to be of paramount importance to the modern society (Gallagher & Keenan, 2000). Hence the changes were made to be able to accommodate the various communication challenges that the society was currently grappling with. Thus in this consideration, it is ascertained that he developments that were specifically undertaken by Skinner were geared towards improving the verbal communication of students in order to enable them to cope with the challenges of the emergent service industry.
Further, the environmental changes that have occurred over time can also be cited to have contributed significantly to the changes that have been made to the system through time. Environmental degradation that was experienced after the Second World War as well as other social changes such as the great depression led to the increase in the prevalence of mental disorders. These in return led to a rise in incidences of behavioral constraints. In order to address the resultant counter effects, the system was ‘improved’ and its underlying principles refined accordingly. This was instrumental in addressing the emergent challenges that were related to the same. Indeed, it played a fundamental role in enhancing the wellbeing of the future generations as the measures were credible and sustainable.
Conclusion
From the preceding analysis, it can be ascertained that human behavior is a complex aspect that is contributed to by a variety of factors. Analysis of the same not only enables the respective individuals to make desirable changes but it also enables them to shape the future behavior and ensure that it assumes desirable attributes. This is usually in a bit to cope with the emergent modern challenges whose characteristics differ significantly from the conventional values and virtues. Furthermore, social challenges and environmental problems also play a significant role in determining human behavior and inherent defects. Essentially, the conventional theories sought to address the then social problems. However, the complexity of the current problems has triggered the changes that have been made in the modern systems.
References
Center for Autism and Related Disorders. (2009). What is Applied Behavior Analysis? Retrieved, 19th April, 2010, from: www.centerforautism.com
Gallagher, M., & Keenan, M. (2000). Independent Use of Activity materials by the Elderly in a Residential Setting. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 33, 324-8
Malott, R. (2008). A Brief History of Behavior Analysis Autism. Retrieved, 19th April, 2010, from: www.dickmalott.com
Steege, M. & Charles, F. (2007). ABA: Beyond Descrete Trial Teaching. Psychology in Schools, 44 (1), 91-9. Available, http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/113516845/PDFSTART
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