On advancing behavior analysis in the treatment and prevention of battering: Commentary on Myers.

Martin (1995) wrote a commentary, not a lab study. The author told behavior analysts to treat battering as a prevention problem. The paper also said we must study both partners' actions, not just the hitter.

The piece responded to an earlier article by Myers. It pushed the field to move past one-on-one treatment and think bigger.

There were no new data. Instead, the paper found a gap: behavior analysts were mostly reacting after violence happened. The author argued this is too late.

The commentary claimed that adding the battered woman's behavior to the analysis could improve safety plans.

Delamater et al. (1986) made a similar call nine years earlier. They asked behavior analysts to prevent nuclear war, not just treat its fallout. Both papers share the same theme: use our science to stop harm before it starts.

Catania et al. (1982) showed how a new technique moves from lab toy to common practice. Martin (1995) applies that roadmap to battering: package preventive tactics so communities can adopt them quickly.

Thompson et al. (1986) handed BCBAs a playbook for talking to lawmakers. Martin (1995) adds battering prevention to the list of topics worth pitching.

If you work with adults or couples, this paper invites you to zoom out. Ask what triggers violence in the setting, not just in the person. Then team up with local agencies to teach safety skills before the first blow. Share brief data sheets with city councils; they like numbers more than jargon. One concrete step: add a prevention goal to your next behavior plan, even if the referral came after an incident.