This comparison draws in part from “Expanding Applications of BSA: Systems of Oppression & Violence” by Candace Fay, Ph.D., BCBA, LBA (BehaviorLive), and extends it with peer-reviewed research from our library of 27,900+ ABA research articles. The decision framework, BACB ethics code references, and cross-links below are synthesized by Behaviorist Book Club.
View the original presentation →Behavior analysts confronting the effects of social inequity on their clients face a choice about the level of analysis and intervention they will pursue. Individual-level behavioral intervention addresses the presenting behaviors of specific clients through direct assessment and intervention, working within existing systemic structures. Systems-level behavioral analysis examines the interlocking contingencies that produce inequitable outcomes and targets change at the institutional and structural level. Both approaches are grounded in behavioral science, but they operate at different scales and address different aspects of the problem. Understanding their respective strengths and limitations helps behavior analysts develop a comprehensive approach to serving clients affected by systemic oppression.
| Factor | Evidence-Based Approach | Traditional Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Unit of Analysis | Individual-Level: Focuses on specific behaviors of individual clients within their immediate environment. Contingencies are analyzed at the individual level. | Systems-Level: Focuses on interlocking contingencies across individuals, institutions, and cultural practices. Analysis examines how systemic structures produce aggregate outcomes. |
| Intervention Target | Individual-Level: Changes the behavior of specific clients through direct intervention such as reinforcement, prompting, and skill building. | Systems-Level: Changes the contingency structures of institutions, organizations, and policies that produce inequitable outcomes across populations. |
| Speed of Change | Individual-Level: Can produce relatively rapid changes in individual behavior. Effects are visible within weeks or months of implementation. | Systems-Level: Systemic change is typically gradual, requiring sustained effort over years or decades. Progress may be difficult to measure in the short term. |
| Scope of Impact | Individual-Level: Impact is limited to the specific individual and their immediate environment. Does not address the systemic factors producing the problem. | Systems-Level: Impact extends across populations. Successful systemic changes improve conditions for all individuals affected by the system. |
| Practitioner Training | Individual-Level: Well-covered in traditional behavior-analytic training programs. Practitioners have established methods and evidence base to draw on. | Systems-Level: Requires knowledge extending beyond traditional behavior-analytic training, including understanding of sociology, history, policy, and organizational behavior. |
| Ethical Alignment | Individual-Level: Directly aligned with Code 3.01 (Responsibility to Clients) and Code 2.01 (Effective Treatment) at the individual level. | Systems-Level: Aligned with the profession's broader commitment to benefiting society and with the ethical obligation to address systemic barriers that affect client welfare. |
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Use this framework when approaching expanding applications of bsa: systems of oppression & violence in your practice:
Does the data support a need for intervention? Is there a meaningful impact on the individual's quality of life, safety, or access to reinforcement?
YES → Proceed to assessment NO → Document reasoning, monitor
A functional assessment should guide intervention selection. Avoid defaulting to standard protocols without individual analysis. Consider environmental variables, setting events, and private events.
YES → Select evidence-based approach matched to function NO → Complete assessment first
Goals should be co-developed. Assent and informed consent are ethical requirements. The individual's preferences and values matter in selecting both goals and methods.
YES → Proceed with collaborative plan NO → Engage in shared decision-making
This course covers the clinical and ethical dimensions in detail with structured learning objectives and CEU credit.
Expanding Applications of BSA: Systems of Oppression & Violence — Candace Fay · 1 BACB Ethics CEUs · $35
Take This Course →We extended this decision guide with research from our library — dig into the peer-reviewed studies behind each approach, in plain-English summaries written for BCBAs.
279 research articles with practitioner takeaways
258 research articles with practitioner takeaways
252 research articles with practitioner takeaways
1 BACB Ethics CEUs · $35 · BehaviorLive
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All behavior-analytic intervention is individualized. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. Treatment decisions should be informed by the best available published research, individualized assessment, and obtained with the informed consent of the client or their legal guardian. Behavior analysts are responsible for practicing within the boundaries of their competence and adhering to the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.