Stability over time: is behavior analysis a trait psychology?

Stuart looked at how behavior analysis explains why behavior stays the same over time.

He asked if ABA is becoming like trait psychology.

The paper is a theory piece, not an experiment.

ABA now has tools tomolar accounts and behavioral momentumto explain stable behavior.

These tools let us say why a child acts the same at home and at school.

The field can talk about traits without using mental words.

Davis et al. (1972) came first. They showed how token economies work like mini markets.

Diaz-Salvat et al. (2020) tested one part of stability. They found more response choices cut resurgence.

Silva et al. (2020) showed the Good Behavior Game keeps working even when you change the rules.

Siegel et al. (1970) proved tokens can hold handwriting steady across weeks.

All four studies give real examples of the stability Stuart talks about.

You can now tell parents why their childs tantrums look the same at school and home. Use molar accounts to point to the same reinforcers in both places. This gives you a science-based way to talk about lasting change without guessing about traits inside the child.