MOs and SDs Applied Behavior Analysis

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MOS AND SDS

Assignment Instructions

Antecedents are stimuli that occur before a behavior and can influence behaviors. MOs and SDs are types of antecedents that play an important role in the occurrence of behaviors. Understanding the impact of these antecedents allows behavior analysts to manipulate these variables and influence client behavior in a meaningful way.

For this assignment, use the template Motivating Operations and Discriminative Stimuli [DOC]. This template has one column for similarities and one column for differences. In a bulleted format, fill in your analysis of the two concepts, placing similarities in the left column and differences in the right column.

Once you fill out the similarities and differences, do the following below the columns:

  • Identify and describe three real situations from your environment or experience (please identify MOs and SDs in each of your examples).
  • Identify the relevant antecedent variables and explain how they operate as either an MO or a SD.

Assignment Requirements

Your assignment should meet the following requirements:

  • Written communication: Should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
  • APA formatting: References and citations are formatted according to current APA style guidelines. Review Evidence and APA for more information on how to cite your sources.
  • Resources: 2–3 scholarly or professional resources. Resources should include the course text and a combination of seminal works.
  • Length: 2–3 double-spaced pages of content, in addition to the title page and references page.
  • SafeAssign: You are required to use SafeAssign before submitting the completed assignment to your instructor. Submit your work to SafeAssign as a draft, review the results, and make any needed changes. When you are ready, submit your assignment to the assignment area for grading.

Refer to the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Research Guide for help finding resources.

Please refer to the MOs and SDs Scoring Guide to ensure you understand the grading criteria for this assignment.

Competencies Measured

By successfully completing this assignment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria:

  • Competency 2: Analyze the principles of behavior associated with response rates and stimulus control.
    • Analyze the similarities and differences between motivating operations and discriminative stimuli.
    • Identify relevant antecedent variables from real-life situations.
    • Explain how the identified antecedent variables operate as either a motivating operation or a discriminative stimulus.
  • Competency 4: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly and consistent with expectations for professionals in the field of psychology.
    • Demonstrate an academic writing style through well-organized prose that follows assignment guidelines.
    • Demonstrate compliance with APA style, citation, and referencing guidelines.