Author Question: Explain the differences between a behavior cusp and a pivotal behavior. What will be an ideal ... (Read 66 times)

aabwk4 · **on:** Jun 20, 2018

Explain the differences between a behavior cusp and a pivotal behavior.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Explain the benefits to practitioners of using observable and measurable terms to describe behaviors and intervention outcomes.

What will be an ideal response?

tmlewis4706 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 20, 2018

Answer to Question 1

A behavior cusp is a behavior that exposes the person to new environments, specifically to new reinforcers and punishers, new responses, new stimulus controls, and new communities of maintaining or destructive contingencies. For example, learning to read. A pivotal behavior is a behavior that produces corresponding modifications or co-variations in other adaptive, untrained behaviors. For example, attending behavior.

Answer to Question 2

Observable and measurable terms are beneficial because they promote agreement among practitioners and stakeholders regarding the target behavior, the nature of the intervention, the replacement behavior, and the environmental variables related to the behavior. This agreement promotes greater understanding and can build consensus in relation to identifying target behaviors, determining outcomes, and evaluating progress towards those outcomes.