Stimulus Control

[Guest guest]

And if you think about it, Applied Behavior Analysis,

> just using this term suggests it. Applied, to mean to apply or to

practice,

> analyzing behavior. In the field, behavior means a lot more than

> tantrumming or something we want to eliminate. Eating is a behavior. The

> antecedant might be stomach pangs, and the the behavior is to get some

food

> and the consequence is to eat and be satisfied. And we have LEARNED

> something. That when somebody is fed, they feel better, if they started

off

> hungry

Jennie, I wanted to let you know that your discription of a " twang " is

perfect for me to give an example of developing " stimulus control " The

presence of the " twang " makes you go get something to eat, therefore,

stimulus control has been formed. Especially if everytime you go get food

when that " twang " is present.

Another example. Every time asks Dad for money, Dad says no. But when

he asks Mom, she gives it to him. has now learned to only go to Mom

when he needs money because he is likely to get it. So therefore, Dad has

developed stimulus control in teaching to " quit asking " for money

(therefore that behavior is gone!!) but his mother has developed the control

of " asking " for money from her.

So basically, you decide what is the wanted or unwanted behavior, when does

it occur (what has control over that behavior occuring or not occuring) and

how to increase or decrease that behavior. That is why some therapists have

good sessions with a child and others do not have good sessions. That is why

consultants say we need to look at what is happening when the behavior

occurs or does not occur and what do we need to do to change it.

So while stimulus control may be new vocabulary for some, the technique to

obtain " stimulus control " is not.... it is just good teaching. Many

preschool teachers will have good " stimulus control " over their classroom

enabling her to teach. But if you went up to her and said, " wow, you have

really got some good stimulus control with this class. " she is going to look

at you funny. Same is true, if you say " hey that was a great discrete trial

you just did. " She will most likely be clueless to what a discrete trail

is.

Rhonda