ABA Quiz Clinical Behavior Analysis

TOPIC: Brain Injury

Name:luckyshop

1.What is functional contextualism?

Functional contextualismfocuses on functional analysis and the interrelated contexts. Functional contextualism offers direction on the function of any behavior, tells people how behavior comes to emerge, maintain or alter. It can be used to categorize behavior and direct programs to change behaviour (Text book, p. 451). Functional contextualism shares the same goal as behaviour analysis: prediction and influence of behaviours. The founder of operant conditioning, BFSkinner used the framework of functional contextualism in the development of behavior analysis. Skinner (1974) indicated that “scienticfic knowledge is a corpus of tules for efftctive action and there is a special sense in which it could be true if it yields the most effective action possible” (as cited in McHugh & Stewart, 2012, p.19). He also stated that the goal of behaviour analysis was to make prediction and change behaviours (p.19). He assumed that all behaviour happens in a situation must has purpose. People can analyse the function of the behaviour, analyse the antecedent, behaviour and consequence, to consider why the behaviour occurs in that specific context, and then make prediction or change of behaviour.

2.What is the “continuity assumption”?

“The continuity assumption states that the principles observed with nonhuman behaviour operate somewhat similarly in the context of human behaviour” (Text book, p.455)

3.In 2-3 sentences, describe Dialectical Behavior Therapy.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy“is a biopsychosocial model that targets the core psychological problems such as emotional dysregulation and invalidation of one;s sense of self.”“The treatment model’s main focus concerns the dialectic bwtween acceptance and behaviour change across four main therapeutic stages” (Textbook, p. 457).The four main therapeutic stages are: 1) focuses on mindfulness 2) focuses on emotional regulation 3) focuses on life skills 4) focus on stress regulation.

4.In 2-3 sentences, describe Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is “a treatment model specifies 6 related concepts organized centrally around psychological flexibility” (Textbook, p.458). ACT focuses on 1) contact with the present moment 2) acceptance (open mind and willing to deal difficulties) 3) defusing techniques (targets thoughts and emotions without being ruled by them) 4) self as context 5) values (goals that you want to achieve) 6) commitment (change behaviours to get the goal)(Textbook, p.458).

5.In 2-3 sentences, what is Relational Frame Theory?

“Relational frame theory (RFT) is a functional contextual theory of human language and cognition with a basic science research approach aimed at understanding these human processes”(Bach& Moran, 2012, p.63).The main features are 1) mutual entailment (correlation of two stimulus) 2) combinatorial entailment (the relations in three or more stimulus) 3) and the transfer or transformation of stimulus functions (the stimulus are transferable) (Textbook, p.463).

6. In 2-3 sentences, how might Relational Frame Theory be applied to psychological suffering?

RFT can be applied to “psychological suffering through functional behavioural means”

(Textbook, p.461). “The bidirectional nature of stimulus relations is a defining feature of language and cognition and is likely in turn to be central to its account of human suffering and its alleviat ion” (Textbook, p.462). By reporting a traumatic event, the bidirectional relations between words and the event” can bring the “aversiv e and painful functions of the actual event in the past” into present (Textbook, p.462). It also can transform the functionsof the related stimulus/events to alleviate psychological suffering.

6.In 2-3 sentences, what does TRADITIONAL couples counselling focus on/do? Traditional couples counselling focuses on “long, drawn out, painful process that starts with analysing the distant past; focus on explanations/insights vs solutions; likely to be on-going; if not effective, change tactic and continue on..” ye t, this therapy usually has poor outcomes.

7.In 2-3 sentences, describe Solutions Focused Therapy (for couples).

Solutions Focused Therapy focuses on solutions rather then on the problems, like ABA focuses on present context. Focuses on the need for clients to have clear and concise

goals. It can be analysed through present elements (antecedents-behavior-consequences).

For example, if couples have problems, they can change their current/existing

environments, attitudes or behaviour to change their relationship, don’t focus on the past suffering or pass happiness.

Reference

Bach, P. A., & Moran, D. J. (2012). ACT in practice: case conceptualization in acceptance & commitment therapy. Oakland: New Harbinger.

McHugh, L., & Stewart, I. (2012). The self and perspective taking: contributions and applications from modern behavioral science. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger

Publications.