Behavior Systems Analysis What is BSA BSA is

Behavior Systems Analysis

What is BSA? § BSA is a 2 credit course designed to implement the concepts learned in Psychology 460 and/or 444 § Students analyze organizational contingencies and implement interventions based on this analysis § This course helps you apply the 6 steps of behavior analysis in a real life setting. § This project is not hypothetical and all data and interventions are REAL!!!

What’s the Purpose of BSA? § To gain experience in OBM § Teach students the principles of Behavior Systems Analysis § So they can use their training to analyze problems in real settings § Increase their knowledge and fluency of those principles § To improve the well-being and functioning of organizations and society.

I am really busy this semester! How Demanding is BSA? § That’s totally up to you!!!!! § You are only required to put in as much time as you can § But the catch………. § The more time you put in to your organization the better it will be

I am not really all that interested in OBM. Should I still participate? § Definitely!!! § BSA provides students with not only OBM experience, but also, with management experience

What is MY role in the BSA Project? § § Attending BSA class. Complete assignments. Conduct a professional interview Pinpoint an problematic area in and organization that you're assigned to. § Implement an intervention in your organization!!! § Do Final Fiesta/Power Point Presentation

Who will be supervising Don’t. Hey worry!! Don’t There willout! freak always be out Check me? ? ? someone theseyou past § can. BSA call ifprojects! you I’m worried have any You will be to do this questions! We project alone. supervised by a are always What if available and graduate student andsomething are more than goes willing to help an undergraduate wrong? ? you on your student! project.

Example Projects § “Hall/Swanson” Staff § “Ricky Schroeder’s” Department Store § “Breakfast Club Academy”

In Quest of Perfection: One Staff’s Journey § § “Mark Paul Gosselar” Psychology 460 T. A. “Shannon Doherty” 03. 16. 02

§ The Hall Director’s (HD) goal is to have the Resident Assistants (RA) turn in their activity sheets once a week or 100% of the time.

Ø Informative meeting and job-aids to help staff remember how to fill in activity reports and their location. Ø The Senior R. A. will put up a sticker per week per R. A. on a chart in the office to show the staff their progress. Ø The H. D. will praise and give corrective feedback to the staff members weekly.

Ø If an R. A. doesn’t turn in their activity sheet, they will have to do all the other R. A’s bulletin boards. Ø They hate doing bulletin boards.

Ø The performance manager (ME) evaluated the data on a weekly basis. Ø Every staff member wasn’t turning in their activity sheets weekly. Baseline = about 30% Ø The intervention changed that! Ø The R. A. s turned in their sheets just about weekly. Intervention = about 100% Ø The intervention was a success!

Second Project

Increasing On Time Arrival at “Ricky Schroeder’s” Department Store § § Psychology 460 “AC Slater” TA: “Screech Powers” April 22, 2002

Ricky Schroeder’s

The Problem § § § Employees are showing up to work late Employees are absent WHY? . . .

The Manager of “Ricky Schroeder’s” and I Must Design an Intervention § It must be EFFECTIVE § It must be INEXPENSIVE § It must NOT be Timely § It must NOT be Tedious

REWARD SYSTEM: § Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Winners: § Daily: All employees that show up to work on time will be eligible to win a 15 minute break. § One person per day will win coupon for break. § Weekly: The employees(part time & full time) with the highest % of on time work arrival will be eligible to win a $10 gift certificate to spend at “Ricky Schroeder’s”. § Monthly: The employees(part time & full time) with the highest % of on time work arrival will be eligible to create his/her own schedule for the following week of work.

Third Project

A Behavior Systems Analysis Approach To Improving Behavior of Delinquent Children “George Jefferson” Spring 2005 TA Name: “Weezy Jefferson”

Setting and Participant Description § “Breakfast Club Academy” (BCA) located in downtown Yellow Brick Roadsville, MI § 20 -60 children from surrounding neighborhoods attend for open gym night § From 3 rd graders up to 6 th graders § 3 Children with high rate behavioral problems selected § BCA staff; volunteer helpers

The Behavioral Battle § BCA has a community service based program in which neighborhood children can participate § Running in the hallways is the most frequent cause of injury § Most children that participate are not easily persuaded and it takes some guidance to get them to follow rules § Most volunteer staff have had no prior training with children

Behavioral Battle Cont. § A controlled environment equals a safe and fun atmosphere for the children § The fewer problems that occur the more children that are allowed to attend the open gym nights § No contingencies were in place to control the children’s behavior

Analyze the Natural Contingencies § The probability of a child exhibiting appropriate behavior was minimal even when someone gave them prompts and corrective feedback § The child that “showed off” or pushed the limits of supervisory control received praise and attention from peers. This reinforcement caused problem behaviors to increase in frequency

Analyze the Natural Contingencies Ineffective Natural Contingency Child has given probability of being caught by supervisor Child runs in the hallway Child has infinitesimally higher probability of getting caught by supervisor

Analyze the Natural Contingencies Natural Competing Contingency Child has less praise/attention from friends Child runs in hallway Child has more praise/attention from friends

Specify the Performance Objectives § Lower the amount of inappropriate behavior (behavior requiring supervisory guidance) § Have all children understand follow the rules § Create an environment that is safe for the group to interact § Lower or end the need for hall monitors

Design the Intervention § Inform social director/manager of the intervention § Inform the group (children) of the system § Create a data collection sheet to record behaviors § For every incorrect behavior, child must do 15 pushups, or leave the gym.

Design the Intervention Three Contingency Model of Performance Management Child has low probability of getting caught by supervisors Child wont receive a reprimand have to do pushups when caught No fear of reprimand doing pushups Child runs in hallways Child has infinitesimally higher probability of getting caught by supervisors Child runs in hallways Child will receive a reprimand have to do push ups when caught Child runs in hallways Fear of reprimand doing pushups

Implement the Intervention § Attend and record intervention, twice per week, for three weeks § Every time a child is caught running in the hallways by a supervisor, or myself, they will be reprimanded and be told to do 15 push ups or they will be asked to leave § At the end of the day the intervention will be evaluated § Look at the difference between pre-incorrect behavior, and post

Evaluate the Intervention § The data showed that there has been a definite decrease in the problem behavior of running in the hallways § Hallway supervisors mentioned the “rule” too many times and were inconsistent with applying consequences § Since the outcomes for violating the rule were improbable or too small they did not control the children’s behavior

Evaluate the Intervention

Is this a realistic goal? § This was a very real, working intervention § Due to changes in behavior from baseline to intervention, we can see that it was effective § With the number of children attending the gym nights this intervention created a much more fun and safe atmosphere for everyone involved. § No cost

Conclusion § § § PRO’S: Easy to apply Fast and effective No cost Decrease in injuries

Conclusion Cont. § § § CON’S Very infrequent attendance by volunteers Some volunteers and children possibly misunderstood the intervention § The children attending where only 3 rd thru 6 th graders

Discussion § A need for more research on the difference between age groups, possibly separating the younger children from the older children § Mandatory behavior training for all supervisors and staff would greatly improve the effectiveness and understanding of the intervention § A follow up to see if the staff is still following the intervention and to see if it is still effective

What do I get out of participating in BSA? § 2 credits § A great letter of recommendation from Dr. Malott § Practical experience in Behavior Analysis § Guidance to achieve your personal goals in psychology § Networking with organizations § A better understanding of the six steps of behavior systems analysis.

Oh yes…Even more benefits!! § Applied experience in OBM § A chance to boost your GPA (an “A” in a two credit course) § A great opportunity to build your resume or vita § Your BSA projects can be used as your 460 Final Fiesta project (this puts you ahead of the other 460 students) § And lets not forget……. . a FUN TIME!

Questions or Comments?