Behavior

The observable and measurable actions of a living organism as it interacts with it's environment.

Two forms of Behavior

•  Observable
• Measurable

Observable Behavior

able to identify a beginning and end of a behavior

Measurable Behavior

Able to quantify the behavior(duration, frequency, intensity).

Two types of Behavior

• Verbal- Refers to speech productions

• Nonverbal- Refers to physical actions

Behavior Analysis

The study of the behavior of human beings and other animals. In particular, the study of the principles that control behaviors.

Goal of Behavior Management

To identify maladaptive behaviors and assist clients in developing more adaptive, socially desirable behaviors.

To Determine Behaviors.....

1. Need something living.
2. Actions subject performs.
3. Are observable.
4. Are verbal or nonverbal.
5. Not the absence of action.
6. Not emotional states or Mental processes.

Maladaptive

Something that is considered non-helpful

Environment

Events and objects that surround the occurence of a behavior.

Contingency

A relationship between events that occur in an environment. In particular, between a behavior and the environment.

Contingency Statement

Formal way to state a relationship between behaviors and events that precede and follow them.

Three- Term Contingency

Antecedent-Behavior- Consequence

Antecedents

Events that occur in an environment prior ot the occurance of a behavior and function to cue that behavior.

Examples of Antecedents

• A cell phone signals person to pick it up
•  Traffic light signals subject to stop or go.
• An alarm clock signals a person to wake.

Consequence

Events that follow shortly after a behavior.

Two types of Consequences

• A new stimulus is presented or added.
• An already present stimulus is avoided, terminated, or removed.

Two affects of Consequences

• Reinforcement- Consequences that increase the probability that the behavior will occur again.
• Punishment- Consequences that decrease the probability that the behavior it follows will occur again.

Appropriateness of a Behavior

• View of society about the behavior.
• The context whithin which it occurs.

Context

Plays an important role in determining the appripriateness of a behavior.