Role of Science and Empiricism
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Role of Science and Empiricism
Science plays an integral role in applied behavior analysis (ABA) whereby, as a discipline, it utilizes scientific procedures to understand the behavior of human beings. In this case, the subject of ABA employs behavior, learning, motivation, and motivations that will promote behavior change (Leaf et al., 2016). Thus, through using science, a behavior analyst will be able to design interventions using observation and data analysis to lead in the implementation of behavior change plans. When studying how humans behave, a professional will have to use a guided procedure or a set of routines to examine all the fields and how they will influence human behavior (Leaf et al., 2016). This will be significant towards understanding why people and groups are behaving in a particular way. The impetus will lead in the development of solutions that will address the problems that affect them, and society in general.
Empiricism is an essential concept in ABA. This is primarily noted in how the discipline utilizes the element of observation of a behavioral analyst phenomenon (Bailey & Burch, 2017). In other words, ABA uses the understanding of experimental influence through making objective observations and measurements of a particular behavior. This is an essential consideration in the evaluation of programs or interventions. Additionally, various emotions can also be observed in ABA, such as anger, anxiety, depression, or overstimulation. This is because, through empiricism, a behavior analyst can follow using descriptors of behavior that are identifiable (Bailey & Burch, 2017). For example, a behavioral analyst can get to know if someone is angry or anxious based on their behavior. Thus, in providing intervention and treatment, the analyst must first reference the observable behaviors of a person.
As a science, it is worthy to note that behavior under observation will be graphed (Leaf et al., 2016). This follows explicitly on guided procedures that a behavior analyst should collect data from a person based on targeted behaviors that can be observed and tabulated in a graph. This will be imperative to provide an excellent presentation of every behavior that is being targeted, which will lead to the development of ideal interventions to achieve positive outcomes.
Science and empiricism render as relevant disciplines in ABA, whereby they provide an avenue for carrying out various measurements, including repeated measurements (Bailey & Burch, 2017). This is an important consideration in the study of human behavior whereby since they do not change rapidly, carrying out only before and after measurements do not provide objective results, and they can also be inaccurate. Therefore, science and empiricism provide a platform for conducting repeated measurements of a particular behavior following an intervention. This consequently offers a platform for a behavior analyst to make an accurate assessment of any intervention and make appropriate adjustments.
References
Bailey, J. S., & Burch, M. R. (2017). Research methods in applied behavior analysis. Routledge.
Leaf, J. B., Leaf, R., McEachin, J., Taubman, M., Ala’i-Rosales, S., Ross, R. K., & Weiss, M. J. (2016). Applied behavior analysis is a science and, therefore, progressive. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 46(2), 720-731.