Public Perceptions and Understanding of Job Titles Related to Behavior Analysis

Boydston et al. (2020) asked everyday people what they think of behavior-analyst job titles. They ran two online surveys. Folks rated how pleasant and clear each title felt and wrote the first words that popped into their heads.

"Behavior analyst" sounded nicer and clearer than "behavior therapist." Still, both labels left many people puzzled. The free-word lists showed plenty of blank stares and guesses like "counselor" or "psychologist."

Critchfield et al. (2017) already showed that our technical words sound harsh. The new data say even our job titles trip people up. Together they warn: the public dislikes both our jargon and our name tags.

Freedman (2016) told us to swap jargon for warm, plain language. Boydston et al. (2020) give the first numbers that prove the swap is needed. The survey backs up the earlier call for friendlier messaging.

Mueller et al. (2000) asked professionals to rate labels for clumsy kids. They saw that word choice shifts severity views. Boydston uses the same survey trick to show word choice also sways views of our field.

If parents and teachers do not know what a behavior analyst is, they will not call you. Try opening with "I teach helpful habits using positive rewards" before you say "behavior analyst." Test the line for a week and track how many people then ask for your card.