Behavior Analysis Instructions
Purpose of Behavior Analysis Assignments
Like the Blogs, these Behavior Analysis assignments are an opportunity to show mastery of our course learning outcomes. It’s another method that reduces the reliance on test scores, and gives you more control over demonstrating how much you’ve learned. In this assignment you will choose specific topics, then analyze an example of each topic. Your goal is to apply the “book learning” from this class to real life. If your application is correct, it will indicate that you have mastered your selected topics.
Difference Between Blogs and Behavior Analysis Assignments
These two assignments seem similar on the surface, but they each have a different focus and purpose. Blogs are like reports. You analyze the material in your book, clarify it, and teach it back to me. This is a chance to showcase your ability to analyze and synthesize complex material. On the other hand, Behavior Analysis assignments connect our coursework to real life. You apply the book concepts to observable behaviors. Behavior Analysis assignments provide the opportunity to show that you’ve absorbed the true meaning of the course concepts, and can recognize them in life.
Chapters for Behavior Analysis Assignments
Behavior Analysis 1: Chapters 1-3
Behavior Analysis 2: Chapters 4-6
Behavior Analysis 3: Chapters 7-9
Behavior Analysis 4: Chapters 10-12
Behavior Analysis 5: Chapters 13-15
Behavior Analysis 6: Chapters 16-17
How to Submit
Your Behavior Analysis assignments are submitted in Brightspace/D2L. In each Lesson, there is a link to submit the appropriate Behavior Analysis.
Go to the Lesson and click on “Behavior Analysis.” This will give you a screen to attach and submit your assignment.
If you write about another person, get his/her permission before revealing names or other identifying information. Or you can refer to the person by initials (not name).
Instructions for Behavior Analysis Assignments
Read the textbook chapters assigned for each Behavior Analysis and choose five topics. The topics must be different from those used in your Blog. If you repeat a topic it will not earn credit. Your Behavior Analysis must include five topics and be at least 500 words long for full credit. (The total Behavior Analysis should be 500 words, not each topic.) Also, you must include at least two outside sources for your Behavior Analysis (not for each topic). This means that at least two topics will include an outside source, such as a website or library book. You’ll need to cite the sources in your paper, and identify them in a reference list at the end. (See below for a website that helps with reference citations.)
For each topic, begin by giving a brief definition and explanation. Next, share an example of a person’s behavior that shows your topic. Describe the person’s behavior and explain why this is an appropriate example of your topic. Remember that I’m expecting you to apply the “book learning” about your topic to a “real life” example. There is an exception – you may use a fictional example (TV show, movie, etc.) if you can’t observe one in real life. Some media examples are so realistic that they serve the same purpose. Keep in mind that the definition part of this assignment is short. Most of each topic should focus on your example.
To compose your Behavior Analysis, step into the role of a witness. Imagine that you see an example and make a video of the person. Your task is to write an analysis of the behavior, as though you’re describing the video.
Help with reference citations
The library at Austin Community College has a great guide for writing references in APA Style.
Grading Criteria (Full Credit = 30 points)
Your grade will be based on three types of grading criteria. The complete description for each type is found in the Behavior Analysis grading rubric, which is attached to this assignment in Brightspace/D2L. Before submitting your work, review the rubric to understand how points will be earned. Here is a short version of the requirements for full credit:
Criterion Type 1 – Assignment parameters
For full credit, your Behavior Analysis includes 5 topics and is at least 500 words long. You did not repeat any Blog topics. The topics are selected from the correct textbook chapters, as assigned. Your assignment includes at least two outside sources, cited in the behavior analysis and correctly formatted in APA or MLA style in a reference list. This means two sources per behavior analysis assignment (not two sources per topic).
Criterion Type 2 – Subject matter
For full credit, your Behavior Analysis demonstrates excellent application of the five topics. Your examples are completely accurate and correct.
Criterion Type 3 – Formatting and style
For full credit, all paragraphs begin with the topic and page number. If you are using an online textbook without page numbers, use the section heading instead. Your writing is smooth and error-free, and there are no spelling or grammar mistakes. If you use an outside source that is not written in English, you have provided a translation.
Netiquette
Disrespectful language, attitudes, or other behavior is strictly forbidden, and will result in a grade of zero for your Behavior Analysis.
Plagiarism
Do not copy material from another source, unless you enclose the copied material in quotation marks and correctly identify the source. You are allowed to quote short passages (50 words or less), but it is not required. If you use quoted material, remember to identify the source in a bibliography at the end of your assignment. You may use APA or MLA style for your bibliography.
Exception: You may refer to our textbook simply by chapter and page number (or section heading). Just put quotation marks around the passages you use, and explain that it comes from our book.
Do not copy material from another student and submit it as your work. Do not give your work to another student to be copied.
Do not use online “rewording” engines or purchased papers.
Do not use any form of AI to write your assignment.
If you engage in these behaviors, or any form of plagiarism, you will be subject to the penalties described in the course syllabus.
Behavior Analysis Example
Here is an example of exactly how your Behavior Analysis should look. Include the “Topic” heading and textbook page number. If you’re using an online textbook without page numbers, use the section heading instead.
Topic 1 – Stress, Textbook p. 137
Our book defines stress as experiencing challenges to our physical or emotional well-being that exceed our coping abilities. Reading this definition immediately reminded me of my aunt, MT. Aunt MT discovered that her husband of 36 years had been cheating for the last two years with a younger woman (SE). To make matters worse, SE had a six-month-old baby with MT's husband. Aunt MT discovered the situation when "Hubby" lost his job, and MT had to start paying all of the household bills herself. Hubby finally told Aunt MT about SE and the baby because he had been paying support for the child. SE threatened to sue if the support payments stopped. She wanted Aunt MT to send the payments, since Hubby was no longer employed. Needless to say, Aunt MT experienced several severe stressors at once. Continue describing the topic.
Topic 2 – Warning Signs for Suicide, Textbook p. 262
When I was in high school, there was a girl (LS) in our class who was often bullied. I never really knew why LS became such a target. She was a little overweight, but that describes a lot of people. Also LS was somewhat shy, but not to an extreme. For whatever reason, a group of popular girls in our grade began to bully her relentlessly during sophomore year. LS was ridiculed, teased, put down, and disrespected at school, and also on Facebook. I remember thinking that it was wrong, but I was too intimidated by the popular group to stand up for LS. I've always thought that a lot of other kids probably felt the same way. In March of our junior year, LS committed suicide. Reading the list of warning signs, I realize now that she showed several of them. Continue describing the topic.
Continue with topics 3-5. Remember that full credit on each Behavior Analysis requires 5 topics, a minimum of 500 words, and at least two outside sources. Topics must be different from those used in your Blog.