Discussion Forum 1
Discussion Forum 1
Discussion Forum 1
Consider the following scenario: You are working as an Applied Behavior Analyst at a local elementary school. A teacher asks you to help figure out why one of his students rips up her paper every time she is given a math worksheet to complete during math class. She does not do this when she is assigned a worksheet in language arts.
How should you approach this scenario given the seven underlying assumptions of behavioral science that are discussed in the lesson (selectionism, determinism, empiricism, experimentation, replication, parsimony, and philosophical doubt)?
To answer the question, select 2 of the assumptions listed above OTHER than selectionism (because of the example below). Then for each assumption,
(1) Define the term, and
(2) Describe specifically how the assumption applies to the scenario.
You do NOT have to propose a solution to the problem. You only have to explain how the assumptions relate to the scenario. Click the information icon for an example of a response.
ANSWER TO THE DISCUSSION
When reading this scenario, I immediately thought about how the scientific attitudes of behavior analysis guide us to understand behavior objectively.
In applied behavior analysis, scientists use several assumptions to understand behavior in a systematic and scientific way. These assumptions help behavior analysts study behavior and avoid making conclusions based only on opinions or guesses. Two important assumptions of behavioral science are determinism and empiricism.
Determinism
Determinism is the idea that behavior does not happen randomly. Instead, every behavior occurs because of certain conditions or events in the environment. In other words, behavior is influenced by cause-and-effect relationships (Martinsburg College, 2026).
In the scenario described, the student tears up her worksheet during math class but does not do the same during language arts. From the perspective of determinism, this behavior would not be seen as random or simply “bad behavior.” A behavior analyst would assume that some environmental variables are influencing the student’s behavior during math tasks. For example, the math assignment may be more difficult, the student may feel frustrated, or the behavior may allow the student to escape from the task. Because determinism assumes that behavior has identifiable causes, the analyst would try to identify the specific factors that are contributing to this behavior.
Empiricism
Empiricism refers to the idea that scientific knowledge should be based on objective observation and measurable evidence. Scientists should rely on data and observable events instead of personal opinions or assumptions (Martinsburg College, 2026).
In this situation, the behavior analyst would use empiricism by directly observing the student and collecting data about the behavior. For example, the analyst might observe the student during several math and language arts classes and record when the behavior happens, what occurs before the behavior, and what happens after it. By collecting objective data, the analyst can identify patterns in the behavior. This process helps ensure that conclusions are based on evidence rather than guesses.
In conclusion, determinism and empiricism help guide behavior analysts when studying behavior. Determinism helps analysts understand that behavior occurs for specific reasons, while empiricism encourages the use of observation and data collection to understand those reasons. Together, these assumptions allow behavior analysts to approach behavior scientifically and make informed decisions when analyzing behavioral situations.
Reference:
Martinsburg College. (2026). ABA501 lesson 1: Introduction to the philosophical assumptions and attitudes of science. Martinsburg College
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