Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Precision Teaching and Behavior Dynamics

  • Precision Teaching: Discoveries and Applications
  • Published:
Behavior Analysis in Practice Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Precision teaching (PT) comprises a sophisticated measurement and decision-making system aimed at helping its users foster superior outcomes for the clients or students they serve. The longevity of PT has led to many discoveries surrounding measurement, performance, learning, and behavior change. The contributions to knowledge derive from a range of studies. Some of the research uses single-case experimental designs, whereas the majority employs an approach called behavior dynamics. The use of behavior dynamics distinguishes PT from behavior analysis. Behavior dynamics does not seek to uncover functional relations. Nevertheless, behavior dynamics represents a sound approach to conduct research, generate reliable information, and engender knowledge.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Barlow, D. H., Nock, M. K., & Hersen, M. (2009). Single case experimental designs: Strategies for studying behavior change (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Pearson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calkin, A. B. (2002). Estimated number of standard celeration charts as of 2000. Journal of Precision Teaching & Celeration, 18, 33–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calkin, A. B. (2005). Precision teaching: The standard celeration chart. The Behavior Analyst Today, 6(4), 207–215. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0100073.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cihon, T. M. (2007). A review of training intraverbal repertoires: Can precision teaching help? The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, 23(1), 123–133. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03393052.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Clark, J. O. E. (2004). The essential dictionary of science. New York: Barnes & Noble.

  • Cooper, J. O. (2005). Applied research: The separation of applied behavior analysis and precision teaching. In W. Heward, T. Heron, N. Need, S. Peterson, D. Sainato, G. Cartledge, R. Gardner, L. Peterson, S. Hersh, & J. Dardig (Eds.), Focus on behavior analysis in education: Achievements, challenges, and opportunities (pp. 295–303). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2020). Applied behavior analysis (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Pearson.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Darch, C. B., & Kame’enui, E. J. (2004). Instructional classroom management: A proactive approach to behavior management (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Datchuk, S. M., Kubina, R. M., & Mason, L. H. (2015). Effects of sentence instruction and frequency building to a performance criterion on elementary-aged students with behavioral concerns and EBD. Exceptionality, 23, 34–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haring, N. G., White, M. S., & Neely, M. D. (2019). Precision teaching: A practical science of education. In Cornwall-on-Hudson. NY: Sloan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, K., & Street, E. M. (2013). Response to intervention with precision teaching: Creating synergy in the classroom. New York, NY: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnston, J. M., Pennypacker, H. S., & Green, G. (2020). Strategies and tactics of behavioral research (4th ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.

  • Kazdin, A. E. (2011). Single-case research designs: Methods for clinical and applied settings (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy, C. H. (2005). Single-case designs for educational research. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kratochwill, T. R., Hitchcock, J., Horner, R. H., Levin, J. R., Odom, S. L., Rindskopf, D. M., & Shadish, W. R. (2010). Single-case designs technical documentation. Retrieved from the What Works Clearinghouse website: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/pdf/wwc_scd.pdf

  • Kubina, R. M. (2019). The precision teaching implementation manual. Pittsburgh, PA: Greatness Achieved.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kubina, R. M., Young, A. E., & Kilwein, M. (2004). Examining an effect of fluency: Application of oral word segmentation and letters sounds for spelling. Learning Disabilities: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 13, 17–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kubina, R. M., & Yurich, K. K. L. (2012). The precision teaching book. Lemont, PA: Greatness Achieved.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ledford, J. R., Barton, E. E., Severini, K. E., & Zimmerman, K. N. (2019). A primer on single-case research designs: Contemporary use and analysis. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 124, 35–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ledford, J. R., & Gast, D. L. (Eds.). (2018). Single case research methodology: Applications in special education and behavioral sciences (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindsley, O. R. (1991). Precision teaching’s unique legacy from B. F. Skinner. Journal of Behavioral Education, 1, 253–266.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lindsley, O. R. (2005). Standard celeration chart system. In M. Hersen, G. Sugai, & R. Horner (Eds.), Encyclopedia of behavior modification and cognitive behavior therapy (pp. 1546–1548). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412950534.n3133.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Lindsley, O. R. (2010). Skinner on measurement. Kansas City, KS: Behavior Research Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindsley, O. R., Koenig, C. H., Nichol, J. B., Kanter, D. B., & Young, N. A. (1971). Handbook of precise behavior facts. Lawrence, KS: Precision Media.

  • Marr, M. J. (1992). Behavior dynamics: One perspective. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 57, 249–266. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.1992.57-249.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L., Turygin, N. C., Beighley, J., & Matson, M. L. (2012). Status of single-case research designs for evidence-based practice. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 6(2), 931–938. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2011.12.008.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayer, G. R., Sulzer-Azaroff, B., & Wallace, M. (2019). Behavior analysis for lasting change (4th ed.). Cornwall on Hudson, NY: Sloan.

  • McGrath, C., McCourt, C., Corry, A., Dounavi, K., Dillenburger, K., & Gormley, G. (2018). The use of “precision teaching” in enhancing medical students’ dermatological diagnostic skills. MedEdPublish, 7(2), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1037/bar0000082.

  • Mrachko, A. A., Kostewicz, D. E., & Martin, W. P. (2017). Increasing positive and decreasing negative teacher responses to student behavior through training and feedback. Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice, 17, 250–265.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peladeau, N., Forget, J., & Gagne, F. (2003). Effect of paced and unpaced practice on skill application and retention: How much is enough? American Educational Research Journal, 40, 769–801. https://doi.org/10.3102/00028312040003769.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pennypacker, H. S., Gutierrez, A., & Lindsley, O. R. (2003). Handbook of the standard celeration chart. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pigliucci, M. (2010). Nonsense on stilts: How to tell science from bunk. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Pocock, T. L., Foster, T. M., & McEwan, J. S. (2010). Precision teaching and fluency: The effects of charting and goal-setting on skaters’ performance. Journal of Behavioral Health and Medicine, 1(2), 93–118. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0100544.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sidman, M. (1960). Tactics of scientific research: Evaluating experimental data in psychology. Boston, MA: Authors Cooperative.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skinner, B. F. (1938). The behavior of organisms: An experimental analysis. New York, NY: Appleton-Century-Crofts.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, O. R. (2005a). Precision teaching. In M. Hersen, G. Sugai, & R. Horner (Eds.), Encyclopedia of behavior modification and cognitive behavior therapy (pp. 1433–1437). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412950534.n3099.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • White, O. R. (2005b). Behavioral dimensions. In M. Hersen, G. Sugai, & R. Horner (Eds.), Encyclopedia of behavior modification and cognitive behavior therapy (pp. 1183–1185). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412950534.n3021.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Young, K. R., West, R. P., Howard, V. F., & Whitney, R. (1986). Acquisition, fluency training, generalization and maintenance of dressing skills of two developmentally disabled children. Education and Treatment of Children, 9, 16–29.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Richard M. Kubina Jr.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The author declares no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Research Highlights

• The article will describe precision teaching as a system..

• The concept of behavior dynamics is explained.

• The article also contrasts behavior dynamics and single-case experimental design.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kubina, R.M. Precision Teaching and Behavior Dynamics. Behav Analysis Practice 14, 577–581 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-020-00482-3

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-020-00482-3

Keywords

Navigation