Applied behavior analysis stands at a pivotal moment in its development as a profession and a science. While the field has achieved remarkable success in developing effective interventions for a range of human challenges, it has also faced growing criticism for approaches perceived as mechanistic, compliance-focused, or insufficiently attentive to the broader well-being of the individuals it serves.
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Join Free →Applied behavior analysis is increasingly described in various ways. The purpose of this talk is to present one view of applied behavior analysis that encompasses the well-being of all humanity. Applied behavior analytic research seeks to discover what environmental events set the occasion for life improvement, and the process by which life improvement is attained. Applied research is driven by a steadfast orientation toward the amelioration of the types of human suffering often experienced by members of society who are marginalized. Socially meaningful change and life improvement can only be accomplished through an examination of real-world behaviors of concern occurring in natural settings. A recent analysis of dependent variables in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis indicates there is less reporting of social validity, less discussion of life improvement/beneficence, and an increase in "proxy," or arbitrary, dependent variables. A discussion of colonial research practices in applied behavior analytic research is critical in the assessment of human rights trends in applied behavior analytic research. What follows is an opportunity for behavior scientists to envision and intentionally design participatory-based research environments that amplify participant voices and extend the benefits of applied behavior analytic research to the oneness of humanity. Objectives of Presentation To define basic terms and concepts related to the applied dimension of the science of behavior analysisTo discriminate between various types of dependent variables and their impact on quality of lifeTo identify and describe the responsibilities of behavior analysts in protecting client dignity, autonomy, and humanity
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB® | 1.5 | Ethics |
Dr. Malika Pritchett is an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Department of Applied Behavioral Science at the University of Kansas. She is the director of Tidepools Ecobehavioral Laboratory, an applied research lab dedicated to the understanding and improvement of the human condition through conducting research about prevention of challenging behaviors, stimulus control and designing optimal environmental arrangements, and human empowerment and agency.
Dig into the research behind this topic — plain-English summaries written for BCBAs.
279 research articles with practitioner takeaways
252 research articles with practitioner takeaways
239 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.