Question

What is the role of science and empiricism in applied behavior analysis?

Answer 1

Ans: Role of Science

Systematic approach for seeking and organising knowledge about the natural world, Purpose to achieve a thorough understanding of the phenomena under study.

Basic Characteristic of Science is three different types of investigations provide different levels of understanding they are

Description: Collection of facts about observed events that can be quantified, classified, & examined for possible relations with other know facts. Often suggests hypotheses or questions for additional research.

Prediction: Relative probability that when one event occurs, another event will or will not occur, Based on repeated observation revealing relationships between various events, Demonstrates correlation between events, No causal relationships can be interpreted, Enables preparation.

Control: Highest level of scientific understanding, Functional relations can be derived, Events can only really be “correlated.

Empiricism:

Practice of objective observation of phenomena of interest.

What all scientific knowledge is built upon.

Objective is the key to gaining a better understanding of what is being studied.