The seven dimensions of ABA identified in your text and the Baer, Wolf, and Risley article, are the guiding principles for the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. As a developing professional, it is important to understand the dimensions because each one is relevant to the work of a behavior analyst. For this assignment, refer to the following articles assigned in the study for this unit: Krentz, Miltenberger, and Valbuena's "Using Token Reinforcement to Increase Walking for Adults With Intellectual Disabilities." Marsic, Berman, Barry, and McCloskey's "The Relationship Between Intentional Self-Injurious Behavior and the Loudness Dependence of Auditory Evoked Potential in Research Volunteers." Then complete the following: Identify which of the articles is behavior analytic and which is not, and provide an explanation for your choice. Be sure to identify which of the seven dimensions of ABA are present in the behavior analytic article. Analyze why the other article is not behavior analytic. How do you know the seven dimensions are not present?
Paper For Above instruction
The purpose of this paper is to analyze two scholarly articles within the context of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and determine which aligns with its core tenets based on the seven dimensions of ABA established by Baer, Wolf, and Risley (1968). These dimensions serve as essential guidelines that characterize behavior analytic practice, including applied, behavioral, analytic, technological, conceptually systematic, effective, and generality. By examining the articles by Krentz et al. (2020) and Marsic et al. (2019), it becomes possible to identify which article adheres to behavior-analytic principles and which does not, based on the presence or absence of these seven dimensions.
Analysis of the Behavior Analytic Article
The article by Krentz, Miltenberger, and Valbuena (2020) titled "Using Token Reinforcement to Increase Walking for Adults With Intellectual Disabilities" exemplifies a behavior-analytic study. This research applies reinforcement strategies—specifically token reinforcement—to increase targeted behaviors, aligning with the applied and behavioral dimensions. The applied dimension emphasizes that the behavior chosen for intervention should be socially significant; in this case, improving mobility enhances the quality of life for adults with intellectual disabilities. The behavioral dimension is evident as the study precisely defines the target behavior (walking) and measures the change resulting from reinforcement systematically.
The article also demonstrates the analytic dimension, as the methodological design allows for cause-and-effect conclusions about the reinforcement intervention—showing that token reinforcement specifically increases walking behavior. Moreover, the study is conceptually systematic because it applies principles derived from behavioral theory—namely, operant conditioning. The intervention is described in enough detail to replicate, adhering to the technological dimension, and reports meaningful improvements, indicating effectiveness. Lastly, the study discusses the generality of the behavior change, highlighting how the intervention could be adapted to different settings or populations, fulfilling the generality dimension.
Analysis of the Non-Behavior Analytic Article
Conversely, Marsic et al. (2019), "The Relationship Between Intentional Self-Injurious Behavior and the Loudness Dependence of Auditory Evoked Potential in Research Volunteers," does not qualify as a behavior-analytic study. The primary focus is on neuroscientific measurements and physiological responses, particularly the auditory evoked potentials, which are not behaviors but biological processes. The research aims to establish correlations between physiological markers and self-injurious behavior without directly manipulating or intervening to produce behavior change, thus lacking the applied aspect central to ABA.
Furthermore, the study does not primarily focus on socially significant behaviors nor employ interventions based on reinforcement or other operant procedures, and thus does not demonstrate applied or behavioral dimensions. The physiological focus and lack of intervention make the analytic dimension hard to establish because it does not involve assessing causal effects of a behavior change procedure. It also lacks the technological and conceptually systematic dimensions, as it does not employ or describe behavioral principles systematically. The absence of any intervention and the focus on biological responses instead of behavioral change indicate that the dimensions of ABA are not present in this article.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Krentz et al. (2020) exemplifies a behavior-analytic study characterized by the presence of core dimensions, including applied, behavioral, analytic, technological, systematic, effective, and generality. Conversely, Marsic et al. (2019) focuses on physiological responses linked to behavior but does not incorporate an intervention rooted in behavioral principles, thus lacking the seven dimensions fundamental to ABA. Recognizing these differences is crucial for professionals tasked with designing and
evaluating behavior analytic interventions.
References
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Marsic, S., Berman, E. S., Barry, M., & McCloskey, M. (2019). The relationship between intentional self-injurious behavior and the loudness dependence of auditory evoked potential in research volunteers.
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