I find it necessary to define a few terms that I frequently refer to. A short, simple definition of behavior analysis is: the science of behavior change. This definition separates behavior analysis from other fields (i.e. cognitive psychology, anthropology, sociology). Behavior analysts are interested in how and why behavior changes. A better definition of behavior analysis is: the study of the functional relations between behavior and environmental events. This is a more formal definition that any behavior analyst would provide if asked to explain his/her field.
I'm concentrating in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) within the Psychology program and I'm applying for graduate programs in ABA. So let me define ABA; it is the attempt to solve behavior problems by providing antecedents and/or consequences that change behavior. Problem behaviors include self-injurious behavior, aggression, and environmental/property destruction. Many children diagnosed with mental retardation, autism, and other developmental disabilities frequently exhibit these behaviors.
Since it is possible to change many behaviors, we can determine another person's behavior.
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Interesting field. What do experts in that area make of unintended consequences of behavior and unrecognized causal inputs?
Behavior analysts try to control for extraneous variables that may cause unintended consequences of behavior. Unrecognized causal inputs go unnoticed until they are identified, and then, most likely, controlled. But there may always be some unrecognized causal input that may affect a behavior. But since it is "unrecognized," there's nothing we can do to control for it.
I understand that the unrecognized is uncontrollable. But are BA's ever concerned that there may be more such critters than the ones they observe and attempt to control? Would that make a difference to their theories/conclusions?
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