Question: Part 1: Mentalism and Behaviorism

Guidelines for Evaluation of Discussion Contributions.

In this Instructor Contact Session, you will hear your instructor talk about analytic perspectives on mentalism, hypothetical constructs, and explanatory fictions. Listen to the lecture and take notes. Then post a substantive response to the following discussion question:

Your Unit 1 readings address the behavior analytic perspectives on what behaviorists refer to as the "mentalistic" approach to analyzing and solving human problems. Discuss the difference between the mentalist''s and the radical behaviorist''s perspectives regarding feelings, "states of mind," and unobservable "mental" events. Is there a special thing called "the mind"? In your response, describe the radical behaviorist''s perspective regarding feelings, states of mind, and mental (covert or private) events. Then provide a recent example of a situation where you were exposed to or considered a mentalistic explanation for your own or someone else''s behavior.

New learners of ABA often have difficulty with changing their perspectives about the causes of behavior. Explain how you will reconcile your past experiences with using mentalistic explanations and shift to a behavior analytic perspective.

Part 2: Core Principles of Applied Behavior

Learner Guidelines for Evaluation of Discussion Contributions.

In this Instructor Contact Session, your instructor will focus on the core principles of applied behavior. Listen to the lecture and take notes. Then post a substantive response to the following discussion question:

Baer, Wolf, and Risley (1968) discuss the following core principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) in their groundbreaking JABA article: Applied, Behavioral, Analytic, Technological, Conceptually systematic, Effective, and Generality. Please be prepared to discuss the definitions of these terms and provide examples of (or ask questions about) how they might affect clinical or educational applications of ABA.