Determinism Empiricism Parsimony Experimentation Replication Philosophic Doubt Pragmatism

1. Know Your
Behavior
Applied Behavior
Analysis

2. What is Science?
“a systematic approach for seeking and organizing knowledge about the
natural world as evidenced by description, prediction, and control that
relies on determinism as its fundamental assumption, empiricism as its
prime directive, experimentation as its basic strategy, replication as its
necessary requirement for believability, parsimony as its conservative
value, and philosophic doubt as its guiding conscience.” (Cooper)

3. We are going to focus on:
6 Assumptions and Attitudes of Science & Pragmatism

4. Determinism
Definition
◦ Fundamental Assumption
◦ Cause and an Effects
◦ Universal Law
Example
◦ Gravity is universal Law
◦ If you pushed the pen, it will fall on the floor.
(all the time)
◦ If you put water on stove, it will boil when
reach 100 degrees and start evaporating.

5. Empiricism
Definition
◦ Prime Directive
◦ Facts
◦ No subjects
◦ Biased
◦ Opinioned
◦ Emotional Influence
Example
◦ Empiricism
◦ Dolphins are type of marine mammals.
◦ They swim in the oceans and sea and rivers.
◦ They produce a variety of vocalizations, usually in
the form of clicks and whistles
◦ They are highly social animals, often living in pods
of up to a dozen individuals.
◦ Non- Empiricism
◦ Dolphins are so cute and beautiful.
◦ Dolphins are much better than seals.

6. Parsimony
Definition
◦ Its Conservative Value
◦ Explain The Event in Simple Form
Example
◦ George heard a thunder in the sky.
◦ He said, an alien ship is landing.

7. Experimentation
Definition
◦ Basic Strategy
◦ At least two conditions to compare the effect of
one subject
◦ Experimental Analysis
Example
◦ Dr. M experimented with the drug called “501”
to test if this drug can improve the heart rate of
rats.

8. Replication
Definition
◦ Necessary Requirements for Believability
◦ Determine the Reliability
◦ How scientist discover their mistakes and self
correcting it.
Example
◦ Dr. M tested the experiment ten times to makes
sure that the drug called “501” used to improve
heart rates in rats, and there were no mistakes.
◦ She gave the study to Dr. P to see if he can
duplicate the same experiment and get the same
result.

9. Philosophic Doubt
Definition
◦ Double as Its Guiding Conscience
◦ Science must continue investigate and question
the truth.
Example
◦ After Dr. P studied the experiment, he
discovered it was true the drug improves the
heart; however, the drug increases the blood
sugar, and it can be fatal to rats with diabetes.
◦ He said to Dr. M, “We need to find another
drug that doesn’t increase blood sugar.”

10. Pragmatism
Definition
◦ Practical approach of things not theoretical.
◦ The realistic and efficient approach.
Example
◦ Suzy having a tantrum and throwing things
on floor.
◦ Teacher 1 (Pragmatism Approach ): Realistic
approach response blocking and remove the items
from hands. Finding out the Function for the
tantrum.
◦ Teacher 2 (Theoretical): She said, “Today is a full
moon. This is the reason why she is tantruming.”

11. Reference
◦ Cooper J.O, Heron T.E, Heward W.L. Applied
behavior analysis (2nd ed.) Upper Saddle River,
NJ: Pearson; 2007.

12. Know Your
Behavior
Thank
You