ABA Glossary: Task List Reference Video

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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Selectionism

A philosophical assumption underlying the science of behavior analysis that anything that evolves does so because of the consequences of behavior, meaning that behaviors that result in positive consequences survive

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Replication (philosophical assumption)

A philosophical assumption underlying the science of behavior analysis that experiments should be repeated to determine the reliability and usefulness of their findings and to discover and correct mistakes.

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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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Pragmatism

A philosophical assumption underlying the science of behavior analysis that focuses on practical solutions (e.g., if it works, don’t fix it), which at the level of behavior, involves the relation

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Philosophical doubt

A philosophical assumption underlying the science of behavior analysis that the truth should always be questioned with healthy skepticism, which means viewing the results of studies and clinical work with

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Parsimony

A philosophical assumption underlying the science of behavior analysis that the simplest theory requiring the fewest assumptions must be ruled out before considering more complex explanations.

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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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Experimentation

A philosophical assumption underlying the science of behavior analysis that a controlled comparison of the dependent variable under two or more conditions (independent variables) is required to assess if one

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Empiricism

A philosophical assumption underlying the science of behavior analysis that knowledge is built on objective observation and measurement (data).

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Determinism

A philosophical assumption underlying the science of behavior analysis that the world is an orderly, predictable, and lawful place where all events occur as a product of cause and effect.

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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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Task List Reference: A-2