Behavior analysis and public policy.

Joyce et al. (1988) wrote a position paper. They told behavior analysts to jump into politics. The paper urged us to give lawmakers clean data and clear talk.

The field mostly stayed on the sidelines. The authors showed that our science could guide laws, but only if we showed up.

Napolitano et al. (2025) is the 37-year update. That paper keeps the same goal but swaps individual action for group action. It wants formal advocacy teams, not lone voices.

Normand et al. (2021) widens the lens. They move from 'talk to lawmakers' to 'partner with public-health teams.' The same policy spirit now includes health departments and tech tools.

Bevins et al. (2018) gives a real example. They show how our nicotine-threshold data can shape FDA tobacco rules. The 1988 dream now has a concrete playbook in one agency.

You can start today. Pick one bill in your state that touches clients—insurance, restraint, licensure. Email your state ABA advocacy chair and offer a one-page data brief. Your graph could be the evidence that sways a vote.