Jewish Grandma s Guide to the 7 Dimensions of ABA

"Jewish Grandma's Guide to the 7 Dimensions of ABA: Using Traditions and Wisdom to Modify Behavior"

Epigraph: As a writer and author drawing on Jewish wisdom, I believe that by applying the seven dimensions of Applied Behavior Analysis - Behavioral, Applied, Technological, Conceptually Systematic, Analytic, Generality, and Effective - we can develop a comprehensive and ethical approach to understanding and modifying behavior in ways that align with Jewish values and improve people's lives. Embracing concepts such as Chesed (kindness), Tzedakah (charity), and Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), we can work towards creating a better society for all. This epigraph is my contribution to the field of ABA - Mikhail Salita, graduate of Touro College Advanced Certificate Program in Applied Behavioral Analysis.

Prologue: As Michael Salita sat at his desk, flipping through pages of notes and textbooks, he couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. He had spent months preparing for his upcoming BCBA exam, poring over the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) until he knew them inside and out. But he still struggled with one thing: how to apply those principles in real-life situations.

That's when he remembered the stories his Jewish grandmother used to tell him about the traditions and practices of their people. She had a way of explaining complex concepts in a way that was easy to understand and remember, using Jewish dishes, recipes, holidays, humor, jokes, and Jewish history.

Desperate for help, Michael turned to his wise grandmother, hoping she could provide some insights that would help him understand ABA better. And that's when he learned about the 7 dimensions of ABA - Behavioral, Applied, Technological, Conceptually Systematic, Analytic, Generality, and Effective - and how they could be applied in practical ways.

With his grandmother's guidance, Michael was able to gain a deeper understanding of ABA and how to apply its principles in his work as a behavior analyst. And in the process, he discovered a newfound appreciation for the wisdom of his Jewish heritage.



Intoduction: Michael Salita was feeling overwhelmed as he prepared for his upcoming BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) exam. He had studied hard and felt confident in his knowledge of the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), but he was struggling to understand how to apply those principles in real-life situations.

That's when he turned to his wise Jewish grandmother, who had a lifetime of experience in understanding and modifying behavior. She had a unique perspective on ABA, having seen its principles applied in various Jewish traditions and practices throughout her life.

Michael asked his grandmother for help in understanding the 7 dimensions of ABA - Behavioral, Applied, Technological, Conceptually Systematic, Analytic, Generality, and Effective - and how they could be applied in practical ways.

His grandmother smiled knowingly, and began to explain the 7 dimensions of ABA using Jewish dishes, recipes, holidays, humor, jokes, and Jewish history. She knew just how to break down complex concepts into bite-sized pieces that were easy to understand and remember.

With her guidance and support, Michael felt more confident and prepared for his BCBA exam. And he knew that he could always count on his wise Jewish grandmother to help him navigate any challenges he might face in his career as a behavior analyst.



As Michael sat with his textbooks, feeling overwhelmed with the material, he decided to seek help from his wise Jewish grandmother. She had always been a source of wisdom and guidance for him, and he knew that she had a wealth of knowledge to offer.

Jewish grandma sat down with Michael and began to explain the 7 dimensions of ABA - Behavioral, Applied, Technological, Conceptually Systematic, Analytic, Generality, and Effective. Michael listened intently, but he could feel his mind beginning to wander as the information became more complex.

Jewish grandma noticed Michael's distraction and suggested they take a brief break to practice a deep relaxation exercise. Together, they closed their eyes and focused on their breath, slowing it down and visualizing a peaceful scene in their minds.

After a few minutes of deep relaxation, they resumed their discussion of ABA. Jewish grandma explained the first dimension of ABA, the Behavioral dimension, using the concept of "mitzvot," which are commandments in Jewish law that outline specific behaviors that Jews are obligated to perform. "Michael, just as we are taught to follow the mitzvot and behave in certain ways, ABA also focuses on observing and modifying specific behaviors."

Grandma went on to explain the second dimension of ABA, the Applied dimension, by using the Jewish tradition of "tikkun olam," which means "repairing the world." "Michael, just as we strive to apply our values and make the world a better place, ABA focuses on applying its principles to real-life situations to make positive changes in people's behavior."

She then explained the third dimension of ABA, the Technological dimension, by using the Jewish tradition of "halacha," which means Jewish law. "Michael, just as halacha is a precise and methodical system for interpreting Jewish law, ABA is also a precise and methodical system for studying and modifying behavior using precise methods and technology."

Grandma continued by explaining the fourth dimension of ABA, the Conceptually Systematic dimension, by using the Jewish tradition of "midrash," which is a method of interpreting Jewish scripture. "Michael, just as midrash provides a systematic approach to interpreting Jewish texts, ABA also provides a systematic approach to understanding and modifying behavior."

She went on to explain the fifth dimension of ABA, the Analytic dimension, by using the Jewish tradition of "chavruta," which is a study partnership in which two people analyze and discuss Jewish texts together. "Michael, just as chavruta encourages analytical thinking and critical discussion, ABA also emphasizes careful analysis of data to make informed decisions about behavior modification."

Grandma then explained the sixth dimension of ABA, the Generality dimension, by using the Jewish tradition of "kavod ha'briyot," which means respect for all living beings. "Michael, just as we are taught to respect and value all living beings, ABA also aims to produce behavior change that is lasting and applicable to a wide range of situations."

Finally, she explained the seventh dimension of ABA, the Effective dimension, by using the Jewish tradition of "ma'aseh," which means practical action. "Michael, just as ma'aseh emphasizes the importance of taking action and making practical changes in the world, ABA also emphasizes the importance of producing effective and measurable behavior change."

Jewish grandma also gave Michael some tips for the upcoming BCBA exam. She advised him to look for specific keywords in the possible answer choices, such as "behavioral," "applied," "technological," "conceptually systematic," "analytic," "generality," and "effective," which are all key dimensions of ABA.


By looking for these keywords, Michael could more easily narrow down the potential answers and choose the one that best fits the question.

Overall, Michael was grateful for his wise Jewish grandmother's help in understanding the 7 dimensions of ABA and preparing for his BCBA exam. With her guidance and support, he felt more confident in his knowledge and ability to apply ABA principles to real-life situations.

Epilogue: As Michael walked out of his BCBA exam, he felt a sense of relief and accomplishment. He knew that he had done his best and that he had prepared well, thanks to the help of his wise Jewish grandmother.

Jewish grandma greeted him with a smile and a warm hug, sensing his nerves and excitement. "How did it go, Michael?" she asked.

Michael grinned and replied, "I think it went well, thanks to your help and guidance. I couldn't have done it without you."

Jewish grandma chuckled and said, "Of course you could have, but I'm glad I could be there for you. Remember, Michael, the 7 dimensions of ABA are not just about passing an exam or a job, they are about making a positive difference in people's lives. Keep that in mind as you move forward in your career."

Michael nodded, knowing that his wise Jewish grandmother had once again imparted valuable wisdom and guidance that he would carry with him for years to come.


Famous sayings from ABA scholars and scientists related to the 7 dimensions of ABA:

Behavioral: "It is the contingencies of reinforcement, rather than an individual's personality or character, that ultimately shape behavior." - B.F. Skinner

Applied: "Our goal as behavior analysts is to produce meaningful behavior change in real-world situations." - Jack Michael

Technological: "The technology of behavior analysis is applicable to all human behavior, and its principles are universal." - Aubrey Daniels

Conceptually Systematic: "Conceptual analysis is the foundation of all behavior analytic research and application." - Murray Sidman

Analytic: "Science is not a collection of facts, but a process of inquiry, and the process of inquiry is itself more important than any particular answer." - Jack Michael

Generality: "The ultimate goal of any behavior intervention is to produce behavior change that generalizes to other environments and situations." - Jon Bailey

Effective: "The effectiveness of any behavior intervention can and should be measured, and intervention strategies should be modified based on ongoing assessment and evaluation." - Susan Wilczynski