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Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science pp 1–4Cite as

Methods and Enduring Impact of Behaviorism

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Synonyms

Applied behavior analysis; Experimental analysis of behavior; Single-subject experimental design

Definition

Behavior analysts rely on single-subject experimental designs in which variables that control behavior are directly manipulated and their effects are directly observed. Because of the high degree of experimental control and powerful intervention effects, behavior analysts prefer visual analysis of data over statistical analysis.

Introduction

The methodology used in behavior analysis is a defining feature of this field. Fundamentally, behavior analysts use experimental methodologies in which direct control over independent variables can be exerted. Behavior analysts manipulate these variables to measure their direct impact on behavior (cf. Sidman 1960). Rate of responding is commonly used by behavior analysts, but other dimensions of behavior are also measured. For example, latency to respond, or percent correct, or the number of intervals in which a response occurs...

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Eastern Connecticut State University, 83 Windham Street, Willimantic, CT, USA

    James W. Diller

Authors
  1. James W. Diller
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to James W. Diller .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Oakland Univ Dept of Psycholgy, Rochester, Michigan, USA

    Viviana Weekes-Shackelford

  2. Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, USA

    Todd K. Shackelford

  3. Rochester, Michigan, USA

    Viviana A. Weekes-Shackelford

Section Editor information

  1. Psychology Department, Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, CT, USA

    Alita Cousins

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© 2016 Springer International Publishing AG

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Diller, J.W. (2016). Methods and Enduring Impact of Behaviorism. In: Weekes-Shackelford, V., Shackelford, T., Weekes-Shackelford, V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_1308-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_1308-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-16999-6

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