EAB, ABA, Behaviorism, Practice Guided by ABA | A-4 BCBA® Sixth Edition Task List

Behaviorism, Experimental Analysis of Behavior, Applied Behavior Analysis, and Practice Guided by Applied Behavior Analysis

Welcome to another ABA exam review and our 6th Edition BCBA Task List guide. Today, we are covering the fundamental science behind what we do as analysts. There are four branches of behavior science that we want to focus on. These four branches include:
Behaviorism – The philosophy of our science.

Experimental Analysis of Behavior (EAB)Basic research in controlled environments.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) – The application of behavior principles to socially significant behaviors.

Professional Practice – The service delivery of ABA interventions.

Each of these areas plays a critical role in developing, testing, and applying behavioral principles.

Behaviorism

Consider behaviorism to be the foundation upon which behavior analysis is based. It is the overall concept or theory that shapes our view of behavior. John B. Watson’s pioneering work in stimulus-response (SR) psychology was the foundation for methodological behaviorism, an early guiding theory of behavior. This early behaviorism, however, left many gaps. It did not account for behavior that lacked obvious antecedents, and neglected consequences that maintain actions. It also did not consider private events in the analysis of behavior. Then, B.F. Skinner came along and pioneered radical behaviorism which is the foundation for applied behavior science today. Radical behaviorism acknowledged and accepted private events as viable subjects of analysis. Radical behaviorism widened the scope by defining both public and private events as behavior for analysis, paving the path for a more holistic approach.

Key Concepts in Behaviorism:

Guides our interventions, assessments, and treatment planning.

Originally developed as methodological behaviorism, which focused only on observable behavior.

Later evolved into radical behaviorism, developed by B.F. Skinner, which includes private events (thoughts and feelings) as behaviors.

Incorporates assumptions about the universe, such as empiricism, determinism, and parsimony.

Experimental Analysis of Behavior

When you hear the term Experimental Analysis of Behavior (EAB), imagine highly controlled laboratory research with non-human creatures such as pigeons and mice. This field of behavior analysis, linked with B.F. Skinner forever, seeks to create links or functional relationships between behavior and environment. Consider Skinner’s famous Skinner box, where he studied and manipulated animal behavior, specifically rats, using consequences like reinforcement and punishment. EAB is based on rigorous measurements, most typically using single-subject designs, cumulative records, and visual analysis to examine the interaction between behavior and environment.

EAB is the foundation of ABA, focused on conducting controlled experiments to study fundamental behavior principles.

Key Characteristics of EAB:

Uses highly controlled environments, often in laboratory settings.

Frequently involves animal research (e.g., B.F. Skinner’s experiments with pigeons and rats).

Examines basic behavior principles like reinforcement, punishment, and extinction.

Focuses on functional relationships between variables rather than practical applications.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

We now move to the more practical side of behavior analysis – ABA. ABA extends the principles and methodologies of EAB to real-life events involving human participants. This is the “applied” part of ABA. Behaviors should be socially valid and meaningful in the person’s life. This is the heart of ABA, and what you will be doing as a behavior analyst. ABA focuses on changing human behavior in meaningful ways. It focuses on changing behaviors that are important in people’s daily life, such as improving communication skills or reducing troublesome behaviors. Many interventions used in ABA today are a result of rigorous EAB studies.

ABA takes the principles discovered in EAB and applies them to socially significant behaviors.

Key Characteristics of ABA:

Requires continuous data collection and analysis to ensure effectiveness.

Focuses on real-world, socially significant behavior.

Uses data-driven methods to assess and modify behavior.

Involves systematic interventions to create meaningful behavior change.

Professional Practice Guided by Applied Behavior Analysis

Finally, let’s look at the practical side of ABA, where behavior analysts, behavior technicians, teachers, therapists, parents, and so many others work directly with clients, learners, and children to apply behavior modification tactics. This exemplifies behavior-guided practice. Practice guided by ABA takes research and results from ABA experiments and studies and puts them to use with real people. The essence is in turning the insights gained from ABA into practical improvements in people’s lives.

Professional practice refers to the implementation of ABA strategies in real-life settings.

Key Characteristics of Professional Practice:

Focuses on ethical and evidence-based interventions.

Involves service delivery by behavior technicians, BCBAs, and other practitioners.

Includes parent training, supervision, and professional development.

Key Differences Between Behavior Science Approaches

AreaDefinitionExample
BehaviorismThe philosophy of behaviorRadical behaviorism
Experimental Analysis of BehaviorBasic behavior research in controlled environmentsSkinner’s pigeon experiments
Applied Behavior AnalysisApplications of behavior principles to socially significant behaviorsA BCBA designs and tests an intervention for communication skills
Professional PracticeService delivery of ABA interventionsA RBT implements a treatment plan

Learn more…

Pass Your Exam with ABA Exam Review!

BCBA Study Materials: https://behavioranalyststudy.com

RBT Study Materials: https://btexamreview.com

Youtube: ABA Exam Review YouTube Channel