Essential readings for graduate students in behavior analysis: A survey of the JEAB and JABA boards of editors.

Saville et al. (2002) asked every editor of JEAB and JABA one question. “List the books and papers every behavior-analysis graduate student must read.”

The editors mailed back their top picks. The team sorted the answers into themes and counted how many experts named each item.

Skinner’s works topped the list. Philosophy-of-science books came next.

Basic principles texts outranked applied titles. The gap showed that most editors want stronger training in radical behaviorism before students touch service delivery.

Frieder et al. (2018) ran the same survey for undergraduates. Their list keeps Cooper et al. but drops most philosophy titles. The shift shows you can lighten the theory load for bachelor’s students.

Gold (1993) argued that JEAB studies already hold applied gems. Saville et al. (2002) agree, yet their reading list still leans basic. The two papers push the same bridge, just from opposite sides.

Madden et al. (2003) drew a four-box map of behavior analysis: basic, applied, service, and philosophy. The survey gaps land squarely between the first two boxes, proving the map matches real training holes.

Use the consensus list as your syllabus spine. Start new master’s students with Skinner and philosophy-of-science readings before they write their first BIP. You will give them the conceptual glue that keeps procedures coherent later.