Assignment: How does cultural humility play a role in assessing verbal behavior given the findings of Masek et al., (2021)? How can this be utilized in your practice as a BCBA? Provide specific examples. Need Assignment Help?
Readings:
1. Skinner's Verbal Behavior Chapter 1
2. Johnston's Radical Behaviorism for ABA Practitioners Chapter 2
Upon successful completion of this module, learners should be able to:
1. Students will be able to distinguish how operant selection establishes the verbal repertoire (CLO 3)
2. Students will be able to apply concepts of verbal operants to relevant scenarios (CLO 4)
3. Students will be able to synthesize the readings from the past two modules in order to compare and contrast theories of language and defend verbal behavior as a scientific analysis of language (CLO 2 & CLO 5).
So often, we drill to students of behavior analysis that we cannot take "meaning" in mere verbal behavior. For example, we do not ask mom why the child is tantruming - we test it! We do not offer surveys to determine functions of behavior - we test it! Basically, we do not assume that one's verbal behavior is a precise account of what that are feeling, doing, etc. or that it can explain the function of their behavior. However, that does not mean that verbal behavior is not without consequences!
"Sticks and stones will hurt my bones, but names will never hurt me"
Nothing could be further from the truth. Watch this commercial to show how verbal behavior can affect the behavior of others: Commercial from Verizon.
Commercial from Verizon Video Transcript & CC
Skinner's Verbal Behavior
As you are probably well aware, verbal behavior is a very complex topic that proves challenging for even a seasoned behavior analyst. To summarize the modules on Verbal Behavior, please watch this Skinner Interview.
B.F. Skinner - Focus on Verbal Behavior (1988).
F. Skinner - Focus on Verbal Behavior (1988) Video Transcript & CC.
Hart and Risley
Original Research
Mentioned in your Johnston reading this week is the Hart and Risley Study. It is an interview with Todd Risley and will provide more insight into their work. Even today, many mainstream education advocates will reference this study.
Hart and Risley Study
Hart and Risley Study Video Transcript & CC
New Research Ignites Debate Over the 30 Million Word Gap
Now that you've explored the foundational research by Hart and Risley on the "30 million word gap," it's time to dive into a contemporary perspective on the topic. The original study shed light on significant differences in the number of words children from different socioeconomic backgrounds are exposed to by the time they reach four years old.
New research challenges and expands upon the original findings, sparking a broader conversation about early language development and the complexities of measuring and addressing these gaps.
As you read Sperry et al. (2019) Download Sperry et al. (2019), Kellow and Jones (2008) Download Kellow and Jones (2008), and Ford et al. (2008)Download Ford et al. (2008), think critically about how this new research compares to what you've learned from Hart and Risley. Consider the implications of these debates on our understanding of child development and how we approach education and intervention programs. This is an opportunity to see how scientific knowledge evolves and how initial findings can be reinterpreted or questioned.