About Behavior Analysis

What is Behavior Analysis?

Behavior analysis is the scientific study of behavior-environment relationships. Behavior analysts study how behavior changes over time and looks at the context in which the behavior occurs to explain the changes in behavior.

What is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)?

Applied behavior analysis is the application of the principles of behavior derived from the scientific study of behavior-environment relationships. Applied behavior analysis uses several scientifically proven techniques and interventions to produce long-lasting behavior change. Behavior-change plans are personalized to meet each person’s individual needs. Behavior-change plans focus on changing aspects in the person’s environment to make desirable behavior(s) more likely to occur and undesirable behavior(s) less likely to occur.

Who Can Benefit from Applied Behavior Analysis?

Everyone can benefit from applied behavior analysis. The behavior-change programs designed using the principles of behavior analysis can be used to change behavior in any setting (e.g., work, home, school, public settings) and in any area (e.g., weight loss, changing bad habits, self-improvement, relationships, sports, education). Everyone has areas they would like to improve. Applied behavior analysis offers scientifically proven and personalized behavior-change programs to make those improvements.

Why Don’t Behavior Analysts Refer to Themselves as Psychologists?

The real distinctions between all the different areas of psychology (e.g., Freudian, cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, behavior analysis) are mostly philosophical and unless you have a lot of time and are very interested in philosophy are frankly going to be very boring to hear, so I won’t torture you with those details (if you would like more information please feel free to check out the recommended links). So, why don’t Behavior Analysts refer to themselves as Psychologists like everyone else? Mainly, because of our subject matter. Mainstream psychology (the type of psychology with which you are probably most familiar) tends to focus on studying the brain and the mind to explain why we do what we do. Behavior analysis focuses on studying behavior and the context in which behavior happens to explain why we do what we do. We are also unique because we don’t give things that happen “in the mind” (e.g., thinking, imagining, believing, dreaming, remembering) special status. We consider those things to be behavior just like any other behavior and as such, the same rules apply them.

For years, behavior analysis has been criticized for being too simple and not giving enough attention to complex human behaviors (thinking, imagining, dreaming, emotions), however, the research in these areas has grown substantially and taking such a conservative view toward complex behaviors has resulted in very effective treatments. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is based in the principles of behavior analysis and has been proven to be successful in treating anxiety, depression, addiction, psychosis, obsessive-compulsive disorders, panic disorder, and in generally decreasing the belief or buy-in of negative thoughts. A common obstacle getting in the way of making desired changes is our tendency to avoid experiencing negative feelings and thoughts. This is referred to as experiential avoidance. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy uses strategies that have been proven to be very effective to overcome this obstacle. When we are free from the restriction of fear of feeling bad, we can focus on making the desired changes we want to have in our lives.

What is Behavior and Context?

The earlier behaviorists, such as John B. Watson, had very strict rules about what could be considered behavior. Only behavior that could be directly observed was included in the definition. This was influenced by the popular view at the time referred to as logical positivism. Logical positivism was a philosophical view that took the position that things could only be explained by directly observable events. Prior to this philosophical movement, psychologists spent a great deal of their time using techniques like introspection (reflecting on one’s own thoughts and experiences) to explain things, which was extremely subjective and not very scientific.

The problem with having such a strict definition is that a lot of what we do isn’t easily observable (e.g., thinking, imagining, dreaming). B.F. Skinner recognized this problem and changed the definition of behavior to include all behavior (including private behavior). Skinner believed that private behavior could be studied by making it observable (e.g., having the person think aloud) or by technology that helps us observe these behaviors. Behavior analysis today still shares the view that we should study all behavior, including private behavior. I think it is important to be aware of this distinction because behavior analysis is often unjustly criticized by those who believe that we still adhere to the earlier definition of behavior.

The definition of context is another area in which behavior analysts often get unjustly criticized. Behavior analysts are very interested in the context in which behavior happens. Context, however, is a very large concept. Many people believe that behavior analysts are only interested in consequences (punishment and reinforcement). While, the consequences of a behavior are very important, there are also many other factors that influence behavior. There are many things that are present when a behavior occurs that can influence behavior, such as the setting, weather, temperature of room, color of room, placement of chair, illness, taking medication, fully rested or sleep deprived, hungry or thirsty, certain people, smells, biological factors, etc. The list could go on and on. All of these things are taken into consideration when developing a plan to change behavior. Basically, context includes anything that is in the physical environment, physiological environment, and/or biological environment that may change the way the consequences affect the behavior at that time.