Scenario A: Mae at the grocery store Mae notices that her refrigerator is practically empty. Worse of all, the jar of her favorite pickles is almost out. She rushes to the grocery store and thinks about her last time there and where her favorite pickles were. By thinking about it first, she locates the correct aisle.

Scenario B: Tyrone and the popsicle As a child, Tyrone always heard the same song when he got popsicles from the ice cream truck. Today, his friend handed him a popsicle by the pool, making Tyrone think about the familiar tune. (imagining evoked due to pairing)

Which of the scenarios exemplifies respondent imagining? A. Scenario A: Mae at the grocery store

B. Scenario B: Tyrone and the popsicle

C. Both scenarios

D. Neither scenario

Even though thinking is private behavior, one should not analyze what one cannot see. This an example of ________’s attitude towards private events.

A. Skinner

B. Baum

Which of these is an example of respondent imagining? A. Lillie’s sister would always scare her by jumping out from around corners. Later, Lillie flinched when she smelled the same perfume her sister typically wears.

A. After receiving praise from his boss for submitting his report ahead of time, Kristopher makes sure he submits it early again.

B. Danielle finds that her drawings tend to improve she thinks long and hard about what she wants to illustrate. The next time she sits down to draw, she closes her eyes and thinks about her subject.

C. Geneva always played fighting games with her brother. Years later, while listening to the radio, she hears the familiar words “Round one. Fight!” which makes her think of her brother. 

C. Sue-Ellen’s mother does not allow her to go to the movies with her friends. Her gut tells her that Sue-Ellen is just not mature enough for this activity yet.

D. SELF-REINFORCEMENT

ex. A form of chaining wherein one strategically schedules contact with appetitive stimuli such that desirable responding undergoes conditioning

d. Sue-Ellen’s mother does not allow her to go to the movies with her friends. Her gut tells her that Sue-Ellen is just not mature enough for this activity yet.

gut tells her

Note: Appealing to an agent as cause vs. describing a scenario.

B. False

❑Match the term with the descriptions of how agency is related: ❑Implies self-initiated actions = _1.______ ❑The agent is the device behind the action = __2._____ ❑Behavior is determined by the agents = __3._____

❑The cause is in the nature of the organism = ___4____ ❑Something in the mind or soul guides the organism = ___5.____

A. Mechanism

B. Essentialism

C. Determinism

D.Dualism

E. Voluntarism

1. E

2.A

3.C

4.B

5.D

❑ Behavior analysts do not consider the brain as an agent of behavior because:

a. Anthropomorphizing the brain suggests that the brain is separate from the rest of the organism

b. The brain has no control over what you think and feel

c. Genes are an agents of behavior

❑ What is the role of genes in determining behavior?

a. Behaviors are controlled by genes

b. Genes code for behavioral phenotypes

c. Behavioral traits are passed through genes

d. Indirectly, through physiological processes

d. Indirectly, through physiological processes

An organism’s genes may indirectly influence behavior through physiological processes.  But genes are not an agent and do not control behavior.  There are no genetic codes that determine how an individual will behave, and there are no behavioral traits in genes.

Havin is studying for her last final of graduate school. Her friends decide to go out to a party and invite her along. She chooses to stay home. Her friends tell her she is so responsible and makes great choices, she will surely pass the exam. Havin says she has such a low grade in the class that she must stay home and study or she will certainly fail. Havin’s explanation is an example of an agent or agency closely related to:

a. Dualism

b. Determinism

c. Mechanism

d. Essentialism

Determinism

ex. Havin’s explanation that she must stay home and study because otherwise she will fail, based on her grade being low, is an example of determinism.  Remember that agency is often seen as causes, explanations, or sources of behavior. Havin’s explanation suggests that the explanation for her behavior is that it is determined by her circumstances (i.e., her low grade and the fact that studying could improve it). The relation of agency to dualism is the suggestion that an agent is something within a mental or non-physical realm that causes behavior.  If Havin’s explanation had referred to her own thoughts or feelings as a cause for behavior, this would more closely resemble an example of agency related to dualism.  The relation of agency to mechanism is the suggestion that an agent is the mechanism behind an action.  The relation of agency to essentialism is the suggestion that something within the basic nature of an object or a person is causing behavior.  If Havin’s explanation had referred to the basic nature of an object or person, this would more closely resemble an example of agency related to essentialism.

 Cilinia brings home straight As on her report card. Her grandmother throws up her hands and says, “I prayed for this!” Her mother says, “Wow, you are so smart!” Her father says, “You must have felt extra focused this term!” Cilinia says, “It’s because I study three hours daily!” Which explanation is based on Cilinia’s traits? Cilinia got straight As because:

a. She felt extra focused

b. She studied 3 hours every day

c. Her grandmother prayed for this

d. She is very smart

d. She is very smart

The explanation based on Cilinia’s traits is that she is very smart.  Remember that traits can be defined as stable response patterns over time.  These personality traits are often superficially descriptive labels (e.g., “mean,” “confident,” “rebellious”).   Saying that Cilinia felt extra focused this term may be closer to an explanation based on a state of being (i.e., temporary condition).  Saying Celinia studied three hours every day is closer to a behavior-analytic explanation.  Saying that her grandmother prayed for this may be close to an explanation based on predestination or the assumption that a god is in control of all events.

Which of the following explains behavior based on an individual’s state of being?

a. Nam yelled at the cab driver because he was angry

b. Jason won the race because he had been practicing his sprints daily for 5 months

c. Tomasz earned a raise because he exceeded his sales goals

d. Phu quit smoking because he chewed nicotine replacement gum

a. Nam yelled at the cab driver because he was angry

Nam yelling at a cab driver because he was overwhelmed with anger is an explanation for behavior based on an individual’s state of being.  Remember that states of being are prevailing momentary conditions, often described in terms of feelings, emotions, or thoughts.  Jason winning the race because he practiced daily, Tomasz earning a raise for exceeding his sales goals, and Phu quitting smoking because he chewed a nicotine replacement gum are all examples of explanations for outcomes based on the effects of a behavior.

Alice has been getting into fights at school. Alice’s teacher says it seems Alice decides it’s “time to play rough” with the other children. Alice’s father says, “I believe Alice has been feeling angry due to the loss of her dog.” Alice’s mother says, “Alice is a physical person.” Her little brother says, “Alice wants to be mean!” Which explanation is based on Alice’s traits?

a. Alice feels angry

b. Alice is a physical person

c. Alice wants to be mean 

d. Alice decides it’s time to play rough

d.  Alice decides it’s time to play rough

The explanation based on Alice’s traits is that Alice is a physical person.  Remember that traits can be defined as stable response patterns over time.  These personality traits are often superficially descriptive labels (e.g., “physical,” “confident,” “aggressive”).  Saying that Alice feels angry is an explanation based on states or prevailing momentary conditions (e.g., emotions, moods).  Saying that Alice wants to be mean is an explanation based on Alice’s desires or mental or emotional processing.  Alice deciding it is time to play rough is an explanation based on mental processing.

c. The environment as a determinant of behavior

n behavior analysis, we often refer to the environment as an “agent” of behavior by analyzing the functional relation between behavior and the environment.  Behavior analysis does not believe in hypothetical constructs, impulsivity, value, or functional relations as agents or causes of behavior.  It does consider the environment an agent determining behavior.

Wyatt hits people when they walk by him because he is impulsive and a loner. This is an example of what type of explanation?

a. Psychological construct

b. Behavior-analytic

A. PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSTRUCT

Psychological constructs look to the “self,” traits, and states as causes of behavior.  In this example, the explanation for the child hitting is that he is “impulsive and a loner.”  This is an explanation based on his personality traits of impulsiveness and keeping to himself.  Behavior-analytic explanations use past history and current environment as determinants of behavior.  This explanation does not address history of responding or the current environmental conditions as explanations for hitting

❑“When Bart doesn’t like his food, he throws it on the floor, because in the past when he threw the food on the floor his mother gave him something else to eat.” This is an example of what type of explanation?

a. Psychological construct

b. Behavior-analytic

b. Behavior-analytic

Behavior-analytic explanations use past history and current environment as determinants of behavior.  In this example, the explanation of the behavior is being described in relation to the environmental events that occur as a result of the behavior.  This is a behavioral explanation.  Psychological constructs look to the “self,” traits, and states as causes of behavior.  There is no mention of traits or states in this example.

q Which of the following is an example of an explanation of behavior that includes agency?

a. Elena watered her garden daily, and it produced lots of fruit

b. If the dog rolls over, she gets a treat

c. Margherita’s wit caused her comedy show to be a hit

d. Aiden takes the trash out every evening and earns one dollar

c. Margherita’s wit caused her comedy show to be a hit

Saying that Margherita’s wit caused her comedy show to be a hit is an example of an explanation of behavior that includes agency.  Agency is often used as causes, explanations, or sources of behavior.  The examples with Elena, the dog, and Aiden are all explanations of behavior based on behavior-analytic principles  

Which of the following is the best example of a behavior-analytic explanation of behavior?

a. Bernard hits his brother because he has previously gotten toys after hitting him in the past

b. Jakob drove his grandmother to the hospital because he was in a good mood

c. Gian was accepted into the private university of his choice because he is very smart

d. Iveta will run away when she sees dogs because her grandmother told her they are dangerous

a. Bernard hits his brother because he has previously gotten toys after hitting him in the past

Bernard hitting his brother, because in the past he has gotten toys after hitting him is the most behavior-analytic explanation of the available options.  Remember that behavior-analytic explanations of behavior are deterministic and rely on explaining behavior through its interaction with the environment.  Jakob driving his grandmother because he is in a good mood is an example of an explanation of behavior based on agency; specifically, a state of being.  Gian being smart and dogs being dangerous are explanations for behavior based on agency—specifically, psychological traits.

q Ryne skipped breakfast and lunch so he would be hungry for dinner at the “all you can eat” Chinese buffet. This is an example of:

a. Self-awareness

b. Self-control

c. Self-management

d. Self-reinforcement

B. Self-Control

In behavior analysis, the term “self” shows up in a few ways.  Self-control in behavior analysis is described as an individual choosing to wait for larger, delayed reinforcers over receiving smaller, immediate reinforcers.  In this example, the individual is choosing not to eat smaller, less preferred meals so he can eat more food later at a preferred restaurant.  This can be considered use of self-control.  Self-awareness in behavior analysis refers to the individual being aware of his/her behavior and its impact on the environment rather than being aware of the “self.”  Self-management involves an individual tracking his/her own behavior and analyzing the outcome.  Self-reinforcement refers to an individual setting up a contingency and providing a consequence for his/her own behavior.

May be viewed as a means of autonomy but may not meet the consequence criterion. This best describes:

a. Self-awareness

b. Self-control

c. Self-management

d. Self-reinforcement

c. self-reinforcement

In behavior analysis, the term “self” shows up in a few ways.  Self-reinforcement refers to an individual setting up a contingency and providing a consequence for his/her own behavior.  While self-reinforcement may seem to promote autonomy, it does not necessarily meet the criterion of objective delivery of a consequence.  The question is whether an individual can truly reinforce his/her own behavior when the individual has control over the contingency and the consequence.  Self-control in behavior analysis is described as an individual choosing to wait for larger, delayed reinforcers over receiving smaller, immediate reinforcers.  Self-awareness in behavior analysis refers to the individual being aware of his/her behavior and its impact on the environment rather than being aware of the “self.”  Self-management involves an individual tracking his/her own behavior and analyzing the outcome.

The target is not the “self,” but the

behavior of the person. This best

describes:

a. Self-awareness

b. Self-control

c. Self-management

d. Self-reinforcement

B. Self Awarness

In behavior analysis, the term “self” shows up in a few ways.  Self-awareness in behavior analysis refers to the individual being aware of his/her behavior and its impact on the environment rather than being aware of the “self.”  This refers to having an awareness of the effect of one’s behavior and not the cause of one’s behavior.  Self-control in behavior analysis is described as an individual choosing to wait for larger, delayed reinforcers over receiving smaller, immediate reinforcers.  Self-management involves an individual tracking his/her own behavior and analyzing the outcome.  Self-reinforcement refers to an individual setting up a contingency and providing a consequence for his/her own behavior

q Natasha kept a journal to track the amount of time she spent studying vs. time watching videos. This is an example of:

a. Self-awareness

b. Self-control

c. Self-management

d. Self-reinforcement

Abdul-Halim only buys himself a latte after he studies for two hours. This is an example of:

a. Self-awareness

b. Self-control

c. Self-management

d. Self-reinforcement

Suna is often late submitting her report if she takes an afternoon snack break. Today, she makes sure to skip the break and work on the report so she can submit it on time. This is an example of:

a. Self-awareness

b. Self-control

c. Self-management

d. Self-reinforcement

B. Self-Control

Suna skipping her afternoon snack to work on her report is an example of self-control.  Remember that self-control is defined in behavior analysis as the selection of a larger, delayed reinforcer over a smaller, more immediate one.  Self-awareness is a loosely defined term that primarily suggests that an individual has knowledge or is aware of the circumstances surrounding their actions.  Self-management is defined in behavior analysis as the process of arranging the environment to change one’s own behavior.  Self-reinforcement is a concept that is loosely defined and often contested, but suggests that an individual can control when, how much, and for what behaviors certain reinforcers should be delivered.  The individual then arranges the environment to deliver these reinforcers to themselves

Sebastian understands that he sometimes comes across as blunt or rude, even though he doesn’t mean to be. This is an example of:

a. Self-control

b. Self-management

c. Self-reinforcement

d. Self-awareness

d. Self-Awarmess

Sebastian knowing that he can come across as blunt is an example of self-awareness.  Remember that self-awareness is a loosely defined term that primarily suggests that an individual has knowledge of or is aware of the circumstances surrounding their actions; that one’s own behavior can function as a discriminative stimulus and signal to the individual what to do in a particular situation.  Self-control is defined in behavior analysis as the selection of a larger, delayed reinforcer over a small, more immediate one.  Self-management is defined in behavior analysis as the process of arranging the environment to change one’s own behavior.  Self-reinforcement is a concept that is loosely defined and often contested, but suggests that an individual can control when, how much, and for what behaviors certain reinforcers should be delivered.  The individual then arranges the environment to deliver these reinforcers to themselves

q Natasha wants to buy a new car. She sets up

automatic drafts from her checking account to a

savings account. She keeps a visual update of

the total saved on her desktop, so she always

knows how close she is to her goal. This is an

example of:

a. Self-awareness

b. Self-control

c. Self-management

d. Self-reinforcement

c. Self Management

Natasha setting up automatic deposits into her savings account along with a visual update on her desktop is an example of self-management.  Remember that self-management is defined in behavior analysis as the process of arranging the environment to change one’s own behavior.  Self-awareness is a loosely defined term that primarily suggests that an individual has knowledge or is aware of the circumstances surrounding their actions.  Self-control is defined in behavior analysis as the selection of a larger, delayed reinforcer over a small, more immediate one.  Self-reinforcement is a concept that is loosely defined and often contested, but suggests that an individual can control when, how much, and for what behaviors certain reinforcers should be delivered.  The individual then arranges the environment to deliver these reinforcers to themselve

❑This idea allows us to assess the reasons for behavior:

a. Voluntarism

b. Selectionism

c. Contextualism

B. contextualism

Contextualism allows for the assessment of the purpose and intention of behavior in context.  Voluntarism as related to purpose, intention, and goals can imply “willful direction”—making choices to act as a result.  In selectionism, purpose is removed allowing for accountability of behavior in non-teleological ways.

Purposes, intentions, and goals are sometimes said to guide and direct behavior. This relates to:

a. Determinism

b. Voluntarism

c. Selectionism

d. Contextualism

a. Determinism

determinism asserts that purpose, intention, and goals may guide and direct behavior.  Voluntarism as related to purpose, intention, and goals can imply “willful direction”—making choices to act as a result.  In selectionism, purpose is removed, allowing for accountability of behavior in non-teleological ways.  Contextualism allows for the assessment of the purpose and intention of behavior in context.

Selectionism

Correct

A. Verbal Behavior

Correct

A. Teleological

A.  teleological explanation provides a reason for behavior based on future results.  In this example, saying the reason for going to the gym is the future result of getting into shape is a teleological explanation.  A non-teleological but mentalistic explanation refers to providing a reason based on some hypothetical construct such as a thought or feeling.  For example, “She felt like exercising so she went to the gym.”

C. Discriminative Stimulus

A  PIG functioning as a discriminative stimulus indicates a situation in which behavior has been reinforced in the past.  In this example, the phone alert is a reminder that reinforcement is available for the response.  PIG as verbal behavior would be the individual’s statement or communication of purpose, intention, or goal.  Nonverbal behavior would indicate a behavior that does not communicate something

C. Motivating Operation

A PIG functioning as a motivating operation indicates that a consequence is likely to function as a reinforcer.  In this example, the student’s goal indicates the consequence of achieving that goal as a more likely reinforcer.  A PIG functioning as a discriminative stimulus indicates a situation in which a behavior has been reinforced in the past.  A say-do correspondence can function as a two-response operant in that the individual says he/she will do something and then responds by doing that stated behavior.

 b. Instance of verbal behavior 

Saying, “I am dedicated to finding better employment” is an example of a purpose, intention, or goal functioning as an instance of verbal behavior.  Remember that when purpose, intentions, and goals (PIGs) are used as verbal behavior they identify the conditions that determine the verbal responses.  These are often multiply-controlled by a history of reinforcement as well as current circumstances.  When PIGs are used as discriminative stimuli, they set the occasion for responses that have been reinforced in the past.  Fabian setting a daily reminder is an example of PIGs as discriminative stimuli.  PIGs functioning as say-do correspondence occur when a PIG is stated, and the behavior described is later emitted.  Saying, “I am dedicated to finding better employment” and working on applications is an example of say-do correspondence.  PIGs functioning as motivating operations suggests that a PIG might establish a particular behavioral outcome as a reinforcer and increase the value of behavior that produces that outcome.

❑ Can we make inferences about purpose and intention from verbal reports?

a. No, inferences cannot be made about intention and purpose

b. Yes, verbal reports are reliable sources to make inferences

c. Inferences can be made from verbal reports, with the understanding that these reports can be unreliable

c. Inferences can be made from verbal reports, with the understanding that these reports can be unreliable.

Correct

d. Look at both verbal reports and observations of behavior in isolation, then analyze within the context

Verbal reports can be useful, though unreliable.  We also need to assess the behavior in the context in which it occurs.  Relying only on verbal reports will likely give us unreliable, biased information, while relying exclusively on observations will limit conversation about the actual effects of our behavior.

A. Psychological Construct

Psychological constructs look to the “self,” traits, and states as causes of behavior.  In this example, the explanation for the child hitting is that he is “impulsive and a loner.”  This is an explanation based on his personality traits of impulsiveness and keeping to himself.  Behavior-analytic explanations use past history and current environment as determinants of behavior.  This explanation does not address history of responding or the current environmental conditions as explanations for hitting

c. Margherita’s wit caused her comedy show to be a hit

Correct

Saying that Margherita’s wit caused her comedy show to be a hit is an example of an explanation of behavior that includes agency.  Agency is often used as causes, explanations, or sources of behavior.  The examples with Elena, the dog, and Aiden are all explanations of behavior based on behavior-analytic principles. 

a. Determinism

Determinism asserts that purpose, intention, and goals may guide and direct behavior.  Voluntarism as related to purpose, intention, and goals can imply “willful direction”—making choices to act as a result.  In selectionism, purpose is removed, allowing for accountability of behavior in non-teleological ways.  Contextualism allows for the assessment of the purpose and intention of behavior in context.

a. TypE A

Correct

B. Type B

Correct

a. Public Event

Correct

b. Operant Imagining

Operant imagining is a function of its consequences.  Imagining certain objects or relations depends on one’s prior history of reinforcement.  The advertisement for the Super Bowl leads to operant imagining, where that imagining is related to previous experiences (i.e., watching my favorite team).  Respondent conditioning, on the other hand, occurs when certain stimuli elicit certain responses that are similar to the original object (i.e., seeing a water bottle and imagining a soda

a. Respondent Imagining

Incorrect

q Which is an example of respondent imagining?

a. Tania hears a jingle in an advertisement on the radio and immediately thinks of the company’s unique logo.

b. When his spouse reminds Harvey that their anniversary is next week, he thinks about how they have celebrated in the past.

c. When Kelvin sees a rat, his heart races.

d. Jay’s alarm starts playing music and they hit the snooze button.

a. Tania hears a jingle in an advertisement on the radio and immediately thinks of the company’s unique logo.

Correct

Which is an example of operant imagining?

a. Jaycee hears a foghorn and pictures the large ships that she often heard outside her office window.

b. Misha hears her dog bark, and she opens the door to let it outside.

c. Niles smells his grandmother’s pasta sauce and begins to salivate.

d. When in the furniture store, Arum looks at a chair and tries to picture how it will look in his living room.

d. When in the furniture store, Arum looks at a chair and tries to picture how it will look in his living room.

The behavior of imagining an item in a space where it has never been is likely to be impacted by the consequences.  In situations such as this, the consequence could be how well the imagining facilitates decision-making about a purchase. The piece of furniture has not been paired with the sight of the living room through stimulus-stimulus pairing.  A foghorn that has been paired with the sight of large ships could elicit visualizing the ships in respondent imagining.  Opening the door when a dog barks is an example of operant behavior, but imagining is not involved.  Salivating to the smell of food is neither operant behavior nor imagining.

d. When my dad is out of town and I walk by his home office, I can picture him working there

Picturing your dad working in his home office when he is out of town is an example of operant imagining.  Claire making a silly face and the baby laughing, and Charlie seeing a sign for fresh smoothies and pulling into the parking lot are both examples of operant behavior but not necessarily operant imagining.   Sweating when your mother asks you to go to the store alone is an example of respondent behavior

a. I think of my dog and picture its smiling face

Thinking of a dog and picturing its smiling face is the example of respondent imagining.  Remember that respondent imagining occurs when certain stimuli elicit responses like the original stimulus (i.e., the object itself).  These stimuli will often occur along with the original stimulus; the sight of an actual dog is associated with thoughts of a dog, which in turn elicits responses like those of the original object.  Screaming when the lights go out may have some respondent components but is likely under operant conditioning.  Hugging your son as soon as he runs to you and a horse jumping when seeing a friend are both examples of operant behavior established through operant conditioning. None of these other examples is an example of respondent imagining.