Monthly Motivators: September

September is right around the corner, and do you know what that means? For a person who is head-over-heels in love with Autumn this is my month. I have comprised a list of motivators that I will refer to when my motivation for the gym or other tasks (looking at you vacuum cleaner) is less than stellar. Let's get listing:

1. First Day of School: There is something that happens the first week of school that gets me all aflutter (yes I am going to be a bit mentalistic in this post- deal with it). The opportunity to get a new schedule, work with some new students, and see some coworkers I haven't seen since June.  Back to school means back to routine and I could not be more thrilled. I am ready to battle teenage angst with a big old smile on my face.

2. First Day of Fall: Yes the lose of summer days can be viewed as a tragedy but I my heart belongs to Autumn. Now I hope it is a nice slow transition to cooler weather but when those leaves change color in New England it is something special. Doesn't hurt that I also have that day off of work.

3. Work Out Routine: The summer has been a crazy when it came to scheduling. Working two summer camps, going to visit my family, etc. I did not make working out a daily priority. Now with my school schedule being put in place I can ensure that I will make room for some exercise. There is a 6-7am spin class Monday thru Friday calling my name. 

4. Knitting: I have a crafting obsession and knitting is my go-to fall project. It is a great feeling to know that for a few hours of work I can make a scarf in a color and size that I love for way cheaper than buying one pre made. I jumped the gun on this one since I am 1/3 of the way done with an evergreen infinity scarf.

5. Fall Flavors: Hi my name is Meghan and I have an obsession with pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg and any other Autumn flavor. I am categorized as a basic white girl (no I will not wear Uggs) but that does not stop me from the joy of iced coffee tasting like Autumn. Do I buy everything in sight that is labeled pumpkin spice? No. Will I wait until it is at least September 23rd? Absolutely, I am not an animal. 

6. Halloween Costume Planning: I have loved Halloween since I can remember and therefore I plan costumes early. Tom and I have an agreement in which one will chose our theme and then switch off the following year. Last year we were Egon and Janine from Ghostbusters (Tom's choice) this year its my turn. No spoilers but I cross my heart it will be awesome. 

7. Apple Picking: This may happen in October but either way I am excited for it. Last year we had a blast with a few friends up in New Hampshire. We each got bags of apples, freshly made (and consumed) apple cider donuts, and some quality time outdoors.

There it is my list of motivators to keep me going this September. What do you find motivating?

Change your attitudes of science? Never!

After a very fun weekend of making working out reinforcing I am ready to talk about another ABA subject. This one is all about attitude. Attitudes of science that is.

Attitudes of Science for ABA guide our practice to use scientifically valid treatments. The six attitudes are:

Determinism: everything that happens is a result of some previous event. Meaning that things do not just happen without a reason.
Example: finding $20 on your way to work is not a stroke of luck it is a result of money falling out of a strangers pocket/wallet.

Empiricism: objective observation of the subject matter. In other words, leave your opinions at home people.
Example: the researcher who only records the frequency of nail picking regardless of their ideals of how the treatment will change the participants behavior.

Not without a differential reinforcement procedure Ned. 

Experimentation: when observing behavior you carefully implement your treatment (independent variable) to your behavior (dependent variable) to demonstrate a functional relation. Making sure that your treatment is the only variable changing the behavior.
Example: reinforcement for working out is putting money aside ($5 for every hour of physical exercise) there are no other reinforcement procedures put in place (make special protein shakes, night off from work, posting how awesome you are on Facebook etc.)

Admit it, all of those likes from friends can be highly reinforcing.

Replication: to repeat the treatment phase and baseline of an experiment to verify that the treatment was the only variable manipulating the behavior.
Example: If I give a child a jelly bean for every time they sit in their seat for a minute over two weeks. During the second baseline I should see a decrease in sitting because I have stopped delivering jelly beans. If there is no change in the behavior that means there is some other variable influencing the behavior.

Figure 1: Cartman demonstrating sitting behavior. 

Parsimony: when you investigate simpler reasons for behavior before the more complex.
Example: To determine why a student is asleep in class first investigate how many hours of sleep the student is getting a night. If the student is getting 7-9 hours of sleep a night then move to a more complex issue (escaping behavior so they will not have to answer questions, new medication, etc.)

I am picking up what you are putting down scholarly dog.

Philosophic Doubt: when observing behavior always question what is viewed as fact. Meaning there could be other treatments that should be investigated for the same behavior. Never be happy with one result for a behavior.
Example: Weight watchers may be a scientifically valid way to lose weight but it is not the only way an individual could do that.

How much would that job pay? How hard would I have to slap your hand? 

There you have it, the attitudes of science. Don't ever change your attitude, Science, you are great the way you are.