Section A

Unearthing the Bedrock of Scientific Inquiry with this Key Philosophical Assumption

What is the fundamental philosophical assumption of science? PTB co-founder Dana Meller dives into the crucial role of objective observation and measurement in shaping our understanding of behavior and how it forms the foundation of this evidence-based scientific field.

Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section A-2: Explain the philosophical assumptions underlying the science of behavior analysis (e.g., selectionism, determinism, empiricism, parsimony, pragmatism).

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Understanding Mentalism Terminology

Test your understanding of philosophical underpinnings with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she discusses the term mentalism and its association with explanations and practices in traditional psychology. Dana breaks down the three terms upon which mentalism is reliant: Hypothetical Construct, Explanatory Fiction, and Circular Reasoning.

Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section A-5: Describe and define the dimensions of applied behavior analysis (Baer, Wolf, & Riley, 1968).

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This Dimension of ABA Contains the Original Recipe for Replicable Procedures

PTB co-founder Dana Meller reviews a crucial dimension of ABA, highlighting the importance of providing detailed information, similar to following a recipe, ensuring reliability and consistency in our behavior-analytic work.

Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section A-5: Describe and define the dimensions of applied behavior analysis (Baer, Wolf, & Riley, 1968).

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The Pioneer of Methodological Behaviorism

What are the historical origins of Methodological Behaviorism? Learn about observable behavior and John Broadus Watson’s controversial “Little Albert Experiment.”

Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section A-4: Distinguish among behaviorism, the experimental analysis of behavior, applied behavior analysis, and professional practice guided by the science of behavior analysis.

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Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Identify the Correct Dimension of ABA

Test your understanding of philosophical underpinnings with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she reviews the dimension of ABA, exhibited when a behavior analyst utilizes assessment methods to identify the function of challenging behavior.

Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section A-5: Describe and define the dimensions of applied behavior analysis (Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968).

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Put Your ABA Knowledge to the Test ➠ Identifying the Attitude of Science

Test your ABA terminology knowledge. PTB co-founder Dana Meller discusses one of the six attitudes of science that focuses on data-based decision-making, explaining how this attitude emphasizes our reliance on facts and objective quantification.

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Let's break down a BCBA® mock exam question about the dimensions of ABA.

Let’s Break Down and BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Dimensions of ABA — Basic Principles to Epic Interventions

Let’s break down a BCBA® mock exam question on the dimensions of ABA, their application in real-world scenarios, and what sets behavior analysts apart.

Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section A-5: Describe and define the dimensions of applied behavior analysis (Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968).

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Fact It to the Max: Philosophical Assumptions & Data-Driven Decisions

PTB co-founder Dana Meller discusses the potency of data-driven practices, objective observation, measurement, and experimentation in our scientific approach.

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ABA terms you need to know: pragmatism vs. determinism

Dana Do’s: What’s the Difference Between Pragmatism and Determinism?

PTB co-founder Dana Meller offers a relatable cause-and-effect scenario that helps discriminate between determinism and pragmatism.

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Dana Do’s: What Do Philosophical Assumptions Got To Do With It?

It often feels like the board is asking candidates to study concepts you may never use in practice. PTB co-founder Dana Meller explains why that’s actually inaccurate. The philosophical assumptions underlying the science of behavior analysis is so much more integral than just passing the big exam.

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