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 1-2
Behavior Analysis 2: Chapters 3-4
Behavior Analysis 3: Chapters 5-6
Behavior Analysis 4: Chapters 7-8
Behavior Analysis 5: Chapters 9-10
Behavior Analysis 6: Chapters 11-12

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 project.

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:  The fundamental attribution error, and dispositional attribution, Textbook p. 83-85
Last week, a student (RP) came to class late during a test.  People were angry, because she arrived without a pencil or scantron form, and disturbed everyone by asking around for supplies.  Of course, this occurred after she had already distracted everyone by walking in late.  After class, my friend CJ was talking about RP, and said that she wished the professor would lock the door.  CJ said that people like RP are lazy, inconsiderate, and don’t care if they bother the rest of the class.  If RP would get up on time and be more organized, she wouldn’t be such a pain to other people.  This turned out to be a perfect example of the fundamental attribution error.  CJ assumed that RP was late and disorganized because of internal causes (dispositional attribution).  I learned later that RP was late because her baby had been rushed to the emergency room the day before the test, and was in intensive care.  RP did not even go home – she came to take the test straight from the hospital.  Her behavior was due to external, not internal, causes.  Continue describing this topic. 

Topic 2:  Self-fulfilling prophecy, and Teacher expectations, Textbook p. 90-92
My younger brother (RA) is a perfect example of the self-fulfilling prophecy.  He is a smart young boy, but has never believed it.  Every year, he begins school thinking that he will not perform well, and that’s exactly what happens.  The most recent example occurred two days ago.  RA had math homework, which he is able to do without problems.  But he “accidentally” forgot his book at school, so he couldn’t do his homework.  RA told our mother the next day that it didn’t make any difference (“I would have failed anyway.”).  Each year after several of these self-defeating behaviors, his teachers begin to believe that RA doesn’t care about school, or that he isn’t capable of doing well.  The situation has become worse, because some teachers now expect that RA will fail.  This is described in our book, in the section about teacher expectations and student performance.  Continue describing this 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 2 outside sources.  Topics must be different from those used in your Blog.