The development of functional analysis methodology by Brian Iwata and colleagues in the early 1980s stands as one of the most consequential contributions in the history of applied behavior analysis. Before this work, the treatment of self-injurious behavior (SIB) was largely based on topographic assessment — practitioners observed what the behavior looked like and selected interventions based on behavioral category rather than function.
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Join Free →In this interview, Dr. Brian Iwata reflects on his path into behavior analysis, shaped by his graduate studies at Florida State University and early practical experiences. He discusses his pioneering work on self-injurious behavior and functional analysis, which transformed treatment approaches for developmental disabilities. Dr. Iwata also emphasizes the value of empirical research and the potential of behavior analysis to address broader societal issues.Note:This video is from YouTube and does not have captions that work with our site. However, a complete transcript is embedded within the video for easy access while viewing. In this interview, Dr. Brian Iwata, a renowned behavior analyst from the University of Florida, discusses his journey into behavior analysis, his career development, and his significant contributions to the field. He began his academic journey somewhat unaware of behavior analysis until his graduate studies at Florida State University, where he was influenced by various faculty members, particularly Jon Bailey. Dr. Iwata describes how hands-on experiences with classroom management studies and opportunities to engage in practical applications of behavior analysis shaped his interest in the field. He later focused on developmental disabilities, pioneering work on self-injurious behavior and functional analysis, which became pivotal in understanding and treating behavior disorders. Throughout the interview, Dr. Iwata reflects on the evolution of behavior analysis, noting its professionalization and the importance of maintaining a strong grounding in basic science. He emphasizes the potential of behavior analysis in addressing significant societal issues like gerontology and healthcare but acknowledges the challenges and slow progress in some areas. Dr. Iwata underscores the importance of empirical work and encourages students to stay informed and contribute to the field. The interview concludes with acknowledgments of Dr. Iwata's profound impact on behavior analysis and his optimistic outlook for its future. Below is the entire non-interactive version of this video. It does not contain embedded questions or completion tracking like the CEU version of the module. Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB | 1 | General |
Dig into the research behind this topic — plain-English summaries written for BCBAs.
280 research articles with practitioner takeaways
279 research articles with practitioner takeaways
258 research articles with practitioner takeaways
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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.