This comparison draws in part from “Orienting Toward Humanity: Understanding Behavior Change from the Vantage Point of Love - In partnership with BABA” by Malika Pritchett, PhD, 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 →One of the most consequential decisions a behavior analyst makes is not just what intervention to use, but how to approach the clinical question in the first place. For orienting toward humanity: understanding behavior change from the vantage point of love - in partnership with baba, the difference between an evidence-based, individualized approach and a traditional, protocol-driven one can significantly impact outcomes.
This guide lays out the key factors side by side to support your clinical decision-making.
| Factor | Evidence-Based Approach | Traditional Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Definition of Success | Compliance-focused: Success is measured by the reduction of problem behaviors and the increase of compliance with adult-directed instructions | Humanity-centered: Success is measured by improvements in quality of life, self-determination, social connection, and the individual's own experience of well-being |
| Goal Selection Process | Compliance-focused: Goals are primarily determined by caregivers and professionals based on what behaviors are most problematic or most easily measured | Humanity-centered: Goals are collaboratively developed with input from the individual and reflect what would be most meaningful for their life |
| Treatment of Challenging Behavior | Compliance-focused: Challenging behavior is viewed primarily as something to be eliminated through contingency management | Humanity-centered: Challenging behavior is viewed as communication about unmet needs, and intervention addresses both the behavior and the underlying needs |
| Role of the Individual | Compliance-focused: The individual is primarily a recipient of treatment designed and implemented by professionals | Humanity-centered: The individual is a collaborator in their own treatment, with their preferences, autonomy, and dignity actively protected |
| Outcome Measurement | Compliance-focused: Outcomes measured through behavior frequency, rate, and duration data | Humanity-centered: Outcomes include quality of life measures, social validity data, and indicators of subjective well-being alongside behavioral metrics |
| Relationship to Marginalized Communities | Compliance-focused: May inadvertently perpetuate norms that marginalize certain individuals by prioritizing conformity | Humanity-centered: Actively addresses the suffering of marginalized individuals and examines behaviors within the real-world contexts of their lives |
The ABA Clubhouse has 60+ on-demand CEUs including ethics, supervision, and clinical topics like this one. Plus a new live CEU every Wednesday.
Use this framework when approaching orienting toward humanity: understanding behavior change from the vantage point of love - in partnership with baba 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.
Orienting Toward Humanity: Understanding Behavior Change from the Vantage Point of Love - In partnership with BABA — Malika Pritchett · 1.5 BACB Ethics CEUs · $20
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
252 research articles with practitioner takeaways
239 research articles with practitioner takeaways
1.5 BACB Ethics CEUs · $20 · 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.