Making a Footprint in Environmental Sustainability: A Behavioral Systems Approach to Engaging the Behavioral Community
Use a one-page contingency map to turn your ABA skills into real-world carbon cuts.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Seniuk et al. (2019) wrote a how-to paper for behavior analysts who want to fight climate change.
They built a tool called the Matrix Project. It maps who does what, what they get, and where you can jump in.
The map shows big systems like cities, schools, and businesses so you can pick a spot where your skills matter.
What they found
The paper does not give data. It gives a blueprint.
The blueprint says: find the leverage point, plug in a contingency, and measure change in carbon use.
How this fits with other research
Scibak (2025) took the same map idea and aimed it at voting booths instead of landfills.
Gilmore et al. (2022) used the same logic to fight racism in courts and jails.
Vaughan (1985) said behavior analysts should buddy up with ecologists; Seniuk gives the buddy a job description.
Why it matters
You can copy the Matrix in your town tonight. Pick one trashy habit, draw the players, add a reinforcer, and track pounds saved. Your clinical skills now scale to the planet.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Climate change is arguably the most pressing issue facing humanity today. There is significant research to support the argument that climate change is a human-created problem and it can only be addressed by changing human behavior. Despite the magnitude of the issue and the potential for behavior science to make a significant contribution, there are few behavior analysts/scientists currently working in climate change. One possible explanation is that there is limited access to preparation for and opportunities to apply our science to large-scale issues. In response, the Behaviorists for Social Responsibility Special Interest Group of the Association for Behavior Analysis International developed the Matrix Project as a way to apply Behavioral Systems Analysis to issues of social importance. By understanding the contingencies that hinder or promote working in a particular area we can begin to create the conditions that will facilitate such work. The purpose of this article is twofold: 1) to demonstrate how the Matrix Project may be used to increase the likelihood that behavior analysts/scientists will work in areas of social importance using environmental sustainability as an example, and 2) encourage behavior analysts/scientists to target and understand complex systems by providing examples of actionable steps that could be generalized to other important social issues.
Perspectives on Behavior Science, 2019 · doi:10.1007/s40614-019-00233-y