Chapter Abstracts
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Metta-Contingencies
Michelle L. Zube
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ACTing to Support Compassion-Focused Applied Behavior Analysis
The world is changing rapidly, global culture is in flux, and yet centuries-old inequities persist. The field of applied behavior analysis (ABA) is situated squarely within the purpose of serving humanity. This is evident to us, as the vast majority of researchers and practitioners in ABA have dedicated our careers to helping empower families living with autism and other developmental disabilities. While this dedication to serving humanity seems obvious to us in the field of ABA, it seems it has not been entirely obvious to others that we lead with our hearts. What’s more, there is a growing yearning inside the field of ABA to connect with other humans in more complete and fundamental ways. In this chapter, we will make the case for embracing compassion in the field of ABA and discuss ways to use Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) to empower us to live compassion in our daily research and practice.
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An Examination of Contextual Factors and the Construct of Old Age
Age-related prejudice or discrimination represents a complex interaction of rule-governed behavior (myths and distortions influencing individuals’ attitudes and beliefs) with other forms of stimulus control (e.g., negative visual media images) that then lead to systemic and institutionalized contingencies segregating older adults. The following chapter introduces “old age” as a social construct and invites self-reflection and advocacy for adults in late-life across personal and public spheres. Recommendations and resources for laypeople and providers are suggested.
Claudia Drossel & Rachel VanPutten
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Rooted in Compassion: How BF Skinner Planted the Seeds of Social Justice for Behavior Analysis and How We Have Grown Over the Past 70 Years
B.F. Skinner planted the seeds of social justice for our field when he wrote Walden Two in 1948. Over the 70-years since Walden Two was published, behavior analysis has continued to build upon Skinner’s belief that our field can be used to help improve the quality of life for all people using the best of our science. This chapter is an attempt to capture some of the most important historical contributions that have shaped how our field addresses issues related to compassion and social justice, while also providing the reader with a little bit of humor, a healthy infusion of pop culture references, and a big dose of hope.
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In Health and in Sickness: Irrationality of the Decision-Making Process
Behavioral economics is a discipline that blends concepts from psychology and economics. It asserts that people’s decision-making process is not rational; instead it is full of bias (Voyer, 2015). Understanding the common biases that affect the decision process and devising strategies to optimize decision-making for the benefit of the consumer are the main goals of behavioral economics (Cohen et al., 2016). The healthcare environment is complex, and the decision-making process is often biased both for patients and providers. The use of strategies based on behavioral economics can substantially improve care and support optimal decision- making (Courtney et al., 2014; Volpp, 2016).
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From Theoretical Conceptualization to Function-Based Real-Life Application
As structural and local violence occurred against the Black community, in 2013 a new phenomenon was born. Black Lives Matter emerged as a hashtag and grassroots organization and has transformed offering a political interposition and theoretical framework to a global society. This chapter outlines the meaning and verbal behavior processes related to Black Lives Matter as both a movement and commonly tacted phrase. It details motivating operations and maintaining variables that may impact the meaning of the movement and observable behavior for individuals. It also discusses methods and provides suggestions for readers to live up to the credo and the political ideation in their everyday lives.
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Not I: A Behavioral Conceptualization of Perpetrator Blame
The way that blame is attributed to both victims and perpetrators of sexual violence has been a point of contention. This has become more prominent and has been emphasized by the media in several well publicized cases, including People v. Brock Turner (2016) and more recently, the testimony of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and the subsequent appointment of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Blame attribution has typically been studied through a social psychology lens, but to further understand how and why these inappropriate and harmful misattributions occur, it is important to investigate this phenomenon from a behavioral perspective. This paper will conceptualize perpetrator blame from a behavioral approach. The authors will address the current body of work around perpetrator blame and its background in social psychology, as well as the contexts in which perpetrator blame is examined. This paper will also take steps to describe perpetrator blame in behavioral terms and make recommendations for influencing effective behavior change in remedying problematic blame attribution in cases of sexual violence.
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Queen Bees, Wannabees, Bee-havior Analysts: Looking at Bullying through a Behavioral Lens
Workplace bullying is an issue that many employees face, including those in the field of behavior analysis. The impact of bullying behavior can be detrimental to the health and well-being of employees as well as their productivity and can cost businesses tens of millions in lost work hours. In the following chapter, we explore the concepts of personal morality and professional ethics, as well as a definition of what constitutes “bullying.” The social contingencies that may affect the frequency of bullying and create safer environments for employees are examined. Readers are also encouraged to take stock of their own biases and behavior, both in terms of avoiding bullying and addressing it.
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Filling your Vessel: Recognizing Burnout and Choosing Self-Care: Looking at Bullying through a Behavioral Lens
In a society where achievement is so highly reinforced, we often forget to take the time to take care of ourselves. Self-care is vital for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. In order to give to others, you have to give from a full vessel. Without refilling your vessel daily, you run the risk of being overwhelmed by daily stressors that can increase stress and ultimately lead to burnout. Burnout hinders you from giving your all. Self-care does the opposite. Practicing self-care through maintaining your health, creating boundaries, and doing something you love daily allows you to be the best version of yourself.
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The Role of Compassion in Social Justice Efforts
This chapter examines the role of compassion in social justice efforts from a behavior analytic perspective. Social justice efforts rely on perspective-taking skills and empathy as motivating operations for compassionate action on behalf of those who are suffering injustice. As a community of behavior analysts, our championing of social justice efforts are fully in line with the words of Coretta Scott King who said, “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate action of its members.”
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Lessons in Cultural Humility, Racial Capitalism, Racial Colorblindness, Implicit Bias, and Colorism
The current sociocultural and political climates in the United States elucidate the importance of understanding what it means to be human in the context of becoming more divided and divisive. As the nation is currently facing two pandemics, one health-related and the other racial, our ability to engage in thoughtful and meaningful discourse on cultural issues remains ever-present. This chapter briefly addresses the impact of racial capitalism, racial colorblindness, implicit bias, and colorism as we attempt to create meaningful change in a time of disarray. It is hoped that readers gain insight into the importance of understanding one’s own cultural location, blind spots, and biases within the context of enhancing our multicultural relationships, both personally and professionally.
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An Integrity Violation Examined from a Behavior Analytic Perspective
Corruption is an integrity violation with ethical consequences for the individual and society, and different disciplines study it. In this chapter, we examine it from a behavior analytic perspective, using operant and culturant conceptual frameworks. The finding of two studies that analyzed corruption as an avoidance behavior and provide examples of possible interventions are presented. We give an account of how Rwanda tackled corruption through administrative reforms and its Itorero Civic Education Program to shape the integrity of its population. We end this chapter by calling behavior analysts to devote some of their attention to study corruption.
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The Development and Implications of Cultural Responsive Practices to Behavior Change Programs
The chapter argues that being culturally responsive is integral for behavior change programs to improve the human condition. The lack of a cultural responsiveness can lead to detrimental outcomes such as insufficient progress and inability to generalize behavior change strategies into various environmental contexts. In particular, the author tested the hypothesis that a comprehensive approach to cultural responsiveness would result in increased family engagement in a single case study. The results indicated that not only did family engagement increase, but client outcomes also increased with a decrease in maladaptive behaviors. Implications for cultural responsiveness which require in-depth training and assessment of individual values are discussed.
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Cultural Considerations for Delivering Effective Treatment
As autism prevalence increases worldwide, coupled with the international mobility of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (Behavior Analyst Certification Board, 2020), these professionals are called to serve culturally and linguistically diverse families. To better guide families in the assessment and selection of effective treatments, behavior analysts must consider cultural values, norms, and preferences in their practices as these factors influence the families’ adoption and acceptance of effective treatments. Autism provides an example that is especially challenging, as there is no well-established cause across cultures. In the absence of a known scientific explanation, families may attribute the cause and selection of treatment approaches through their cultural lens belief system (e.g., karma, Allah’s will; acupuncture, herbal medicines, Ayurveda). This chapter aims to first, raise awareness around the importance of understanding diversity in linguistic and cultural norms, values, and practices, as well as describe how this diversity can impact treatment outcomes; second, highlight some obstacles to adoption of effective treatments and offer suggestions to address these challenges and reduce the dangerous influences of pseudoscience.
Lina Slim and David Celiberti
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A Cultural Behavioral Systems Science Perspective on the Struggle for Social Justice
Although major news outlets continuously broadcast inconsolable events in recent days, when we shift our perspective we can find a glimpse of hope occurring at the level of the streets and the community. People, especially the younger generation, continue to stand up and march toward the future that we may not have seen, yet one that is conceivably, achievable: a just and equitable world. How do these generations continue to fight in the midst of such adversity? In this chapter, we briefly review the strategies of nonviolent struggle from a culturo-behavior scientific perspective. Our hope is that readers of this chapter will be inspired to further explore culturo-behavior science, nonviolent strategic action, and perhaps, become a comrade who stands in solidarity with the courageous activists that are mobilizing communities to construct a brighter future.
Traci M. Cihon and Kyosuke Kazaoka
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The Science of Togetherness
The field of behavior analysis has experienced remarkable growth at an unprecedented rate (Behavior Analyst Certification Board, 2019). Growth of this kind is not without growing pains. Behavior analysts develop minimum competencies within the science of behavior analysis during their coursework and fieldwork experiences. This results in a need to have access to quality professional development experiences based around the gaps in knowledge that exist in practicing ethically, effectively, and humanely. Additionally, there are entire content areas not required within the graduate training programs that are crucial for engaging in culturally sensitive and collaborative practices. Recognizing these issues faced by practitioners, the Do Better Movement was formed. This chapter reviews the history of the Do Better Movement, plans for the future of the movement, and action steps that we can all take now to Do Better.
Megan Miller and Jennifer Phelps
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The Role of Behavior Analysts in Providing Equitable Services for Clients in Public Schools
Students with disabilities who are enrolled in public school settings are legally entitled to an appropriate education (IDEA, 2004). As IDEA has provided safeguards for students with disabilities over the last two decades, extensive exclusionary practices for students without developmental disabilities, and particularly for students of color, continue to persist at alarming rates in public schools (Gilliam & Shahar, 2006). As such, it is clear that we have not yet achieved an equitable education for all students. As behavior analysts measure environmental variables and their impact on behavior, they may also contribute to an equitable education by acknowledging current exclusionary practices (e.g., suspension and expulsion), engaging in actions to limit the use of these practices, and training school personnel on evidence-based teaching practices. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the intersection of these variables and the role of school-based behavior analysts in contributing to an equitable education for their clients.
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We Can Shatter Glass: An Optimistic Reminder to Behavior-Analytic Feminists
The term, “Glass Ceiling”, was mentioned at the Women’s Exposition in New York in 1978, given by Marilyn Loden, a mid-level manager at New York Telephone Company (Vargas, 2018). Coincidentally she wasn’t supposed to be there but was asked to attend last minute when the company’s only female vice president was unable to attend (Vargas, 2018). Loden gave a speech and referred to the “invisible” barrier as the “glass ceiling,” which prevents women from moving upwards in higher level positions. These barriers have been perpetuated by societal norms, organizational culture, policies, cultural practices, and within our everyday verbal behavior based. It’s important to note and highlight that the glass ceiling while initially used generally to describe the barriers women faced in the workforce, these barriers and hurdles are increasingly harder for individuals of diverse racial minority groups and gender identities. The glass ceiling will shatter and come down when individuals from diverse racial and gender groups are free from these hidden barriers. It is not enough for the ceiling to shatter for just women, but for every person, and it’s up to us all to take responsibility and accountability to bring this ceiling down for everyone. Radical behaviorism offers a scientific framework to understand how and why the barriers for women and minority groups in the workplace still exist and offers potential sustainable solutions to develop new behavior patterns within our society, workplaces, and in our everyday verbal behavior.
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Moving toward a Compassionate Gender Expansive Society
Historically, gender expanded far beyond the bounds of female/male or woman/man. With the evolution of the patriarchy and colonialism, the development of gender binary system has led to the erasure and exclusion of gender non-conforming and transgender individuals (GNCT). Gender expansive individuals who were historically valued, protected, and regarded as spiritual leaders are now subject to institutional barriers resulting in ongoing minority stress that directly impacts their health and well-being. While the gender binary system is deeply ingrained into every inch of our society, it is possible to dismantle the harmful system and move in a direction of a more compassionate, gender expansive society.
Arin R. Donovan
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Standing for Science Takes a Village – An International One
Outside the United States, many children with autism reside in countries where access to the very best that science has to offer is limited. There are several barriers that these children and their families face such as misinformation, lack of resources and providers in the community, fewer laws and standards mandating quality, and their own sociocultural norms. We would like to highlight some of the efforts that the Association for Science in Autism Treatment carried out to promote the global dissemination of science-based autism treatment. We believe these efforts may better position communities to consider and incorporate science-based treatment, and to be less susceptible to the dangerous byproducts of pseudoscience (e.g., potential harm, poor outcomes, depletion of precious resources, distrust in the professional community). Science matters – no matter where you live.
David Celiberti, Maithri Sivaraman, and Lina Slim
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Evidence- Based Teaching in Culturally Responsive Higher Education
The college and university classroom is diversifying, with instructors now responsible for educating students across race, culture, and generation. In order to reach optimal outcomes across these diverse classrooms, instructors must be committed to cultural responsiveness while implementing the most up-to-date, evidence-based teaching procedures. This chapter will review evidence-based teaching procedures to develop cultural competence, through the use of contingency management and the creation of adequate learning opportunities.
Lauren K. Schnell and April N. Kisamore
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ABA as a Humane Approach
The commitment to excellence, transparency, individualization, and accountability that is integral to behavior analysis may be easily overlooked by our clients and colleagues, and sometimes ourselves. Embracing these attributes gives us much to be proud of; however, this short essaychapter serves as a reminder that we are all works in progress. In this essaychapter, we will describe several aspects of our work that highlights the humanity and heart of ABA. Finally, for our work to be effective and enduring, we must hone not only our technical skills but also good interpersonal skills, including the promotion of open communication and relationship building.
David Celiberti, Kirsten Wirth, and Kate McKenna
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"We’ve Tried Nothing and We’re All out of Ideas!": Disruptive Behavior and Faith-based Congregations
One of the major challenges facing many individuals in terms of being able to function in everyday environments is behavior that may be upsetting to others or dangerous. Due to behavioral concerns, many individuals have simply been excluded from community events and even everyday activities such as participation in faith-based communities. Issues surrounding how such behavior can be addressed and some possible solutions are explored.
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Understanding the Needs of Economically Disadvantaged Children and Families
The field of behavior analysis is uniquely suited to address the specific challenges and barriers faced by families who are economically disadvantaged. Economic disadvantage has been shown to be correlated with academic achievement, mental and physical health, in-home stability, and overall quality of life. In this chapter, economic disadvantage refers to families who meet the federal guideline for being low-income, poor, or in poverty. This chapter will describe how economic disadvantage impacts families and children across health, education, and employment metrics. It will also describe barriers within and outside the field that prevent the dissemination and broad application of behavior analytic practices. Recommendations for behavior analytic practice with families and communities who are economically disadvantaged are provided.
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Finding the Trail: Indigenous Considerations for Decolonizing Research and Clinical Work
Indigenous peoples are the descendants of the original inhabitants of lands that have been subject to the destructive force of European colonization. The relationship between Indigenous peoples and settlers in North America has been strained by centuries of colonial violence, racism, and systemic discrimination in policy and practice. One of the primary barriers that continue to impede progress, is a lack of understanding of these oppressive systems and their ongoing impact on Indigenous peoples today. In an effort to inform clinicians and researchers who may interact with Indigenous peoples and their communities, this chapter will (a) explore historic and ongoing injustices perpetrated against Indigenous peoples; (b) provide examples of harms done in the name of science, medicine, and social work; (c) discuss the processes of decolonization and self-determination in research and clinical practice, and (d) suggest individual and group behaviors which may lead to progress in the form of respectful partnerships.
Louis Busch & Angela Levasseur
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Behavior Analysis and Islamophobia: A Behaviorist Point of View
In recent years, anti-Muslim rhetoric has been increasing, especially in Western societies, causing fear, hate crimes, and cultural racism towards people who identify or perceive as Muslims (Gottschalk & Greenberg, 2018; Sirin & Balsano, 2007). These anti-Islam and Muslim behaviors are often referred to as “Islamophobia” a complex social phenomenon often experienced by Muslim minorities. With the increasing numbers of behavior analysts who identify with ethnic and religious minorities, as well as behavior analysts who work with these minorities, it is important to understand Islamophobia and the many ways it can be present at workplaces. This chapter provides an initial behavioral understanding of Islamophobia, analyzing the environmental factors that maintain it, explaining how it can impact health and workplace productivity, and offering practical ways for behavior analysts to navigate this issue as an active part of the solution.
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The Implications of Dissemination of Applied Behavior Analysis in the Criminal Justice System
The programs commonplace within the criminal justice system are thought to be punitive and show little evidence to support the punishing effect. The actual repercussions of these measures result in an ineffective system that sustains an environment further reinforcing criminal behavior. There is no doubt that behavioral science can create behavior change, allowing individuals to access reinforcement in ways that are socially acceptable and functional. However, the contingencies set by society, both legislative and social, create immense barriers making it difficult to reach a larger population. A broader systemic approach is necessary to adjust society’s response to criminal behavior using the basic behavioral science principles of operant conditioning.
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Supporting Ontogenic and Cultural Compassion Building for the LGBTQ2IA Community
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, two-spirit, intersex, asexual, and aromantic (LGBTQ2IA) people are often targets of direct oppression at both the systemic and interpersonal level. While many non-LGBTQ2IA individuals may not engage in direct acts of aggression toward LGBTQ2IA people, they often benefit systemically from their place in an oppression hierarchy, and thus may not engage in anti-oppressive behaviors, even if they hold anti-oppressive values. We posit that to build compassion for LGBTQ2IA people involves direct, active behavior on the part of non-LGBTQ2IA people. However, anti-oppressive appearing behaviors may be engaged in which do not actually result in consequent liberation or movement in the direction of liberation. We posit that anti-oppressive action of non-LGBTQ2IA people must be LGBTQ2IA led, grounded in mutual aid, and moving in the direction of interlocking liberation for all oppressed peoples and classes.
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Addressing Microaggressions in the Workplace Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Sandra Bland, Alton McCall, Breonna Taylor are names of Black people whose names have been on news sites and painted on social media outlets due to their unjustified deaths by authority figures triggered in the name of racism. These instances are what can be considered the most vile and overt acts of racism. However, before even acting in such an overt manner, racism can be identified in a more toned down way through microaggressions. Though considered “micro” the effects of such subtle racism still leave lingering effects to people of color. In this essay we will identify the origins of microaggressions, identify antecedents and consequences of microaggressions, and provide actionable next steps to take, to decrease microaggressions in the workplace.
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Skills and Lessons Learned during the 2020 Pandemic: A Behavior Analytic View of Honing Mindfulness, Awareness, and Kindness
Throughout our lives, we learn to adapt to new situations, places, and people. We learn to speak new languages, access new technology, and use different tools for everyday living. We inadvertently create behavior change for ourselves and those around us through our behaviors and attitudes. Inspired by the words of B.F. Skinner “we can save the world with behavior analysis,” this chapter provides a simple yet straightforward approach to applying some of the principles learned from behavior analysis while pulling from other disciplines to hone mindfulness, awareness, and most importantly, to encourage kindness within ourselves and those around us. Making an impact on our world and fighting for social change can and should begin with our own behaviors.
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Promoting a Compassionate Culture within an Organization
Organizational Behavior Management has a long, rich history within the field of applied behavior analysis. In this chapter, a brief historical review will be provided along with future applications for the field to explore in an effort to meet the needs of employees during the current sociocultural and political environment that challenge connectedness. There exists a need for organizations to understand and promote a culture that is supportive and compassionate through listening, incorporating perspective taking, and empathic responding.
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Finding Spirit: The Pedagogy of Nepantla
We live in a time of global disruption and transformation. There are profound inequalities and serious threats to basic human rights within a systemic framework of domination and control. Applied behavior analysis has a spoken position on social importance. Our efforts, however, are centered in a hegemonic context and are not always accessed or desired. It is unsettling to think that we, as individuals and as a discipline are inaccessible, unresponsive, or undesirable. In this chapter, we reflect on these circumstances and how to advance new and unimagined ways, different kinds of conceptualizations and actions, that center on the well-being of all of humanity and social justice. We see the idea of Nepantla as a useful conceptual tool and learning approach that invites critical self-analysis and a transformational experience. This liberatory adventure is likely to extend our collective understanding and actions beyond Western, global north frameworks, and into spirit-based values that transcend material gains.
Shahla Ala’i and Alicia Re Cruz
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From Accountant to Advocate: Ableism and Neurodiversity in the Workplace
Full-time, permanent employment with benefits is a goal many strive to accomplish over their lifetime. The sense of financial freedom and independence and making a difference in an organization gives one a sense of purpose and meaning. In the process, one becomes part of something bigger than oneself, plus has the potential to create change for the betterment of the individual and the world.
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A Relational Frame Approach to Understanding Perspective-Taking in Compassion and Social Justice
One important precursor to prosocial behavior is thinking about the suffering of those in need of help, or perspective-taking. Perspective-taking is an essential skill for navigating our social world and a deficit in this area may fuel social conflict, aggression, racial bias, prejudice, and many other social issues. In this chapter, we provide a behavior-analytic description of perspective-taking and its role in establishing compassion skills and utility in social justice. In particular, a relational frame approach to perspective-taking is presented in the first section of the chapter. In the following section, we present a relational frame description of compassion and the role of perspective-taking. In the last section of this chapter, we describe how perspective-taking influences social relations, in particular, social justice.
Yors Garcia, Meredith Andrews, and Lisa Brothers
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Addressing Societal Issues of Prejudice and Oppression: How Can Behavior Analysis Help?
Behavior analysis can be used to study how prejudices develop and to evaluate effective strategies that may mitigate prejudices and reduce oppression, although there has been limited research in this area thus far. Behavior analytic literature that focused on the issues of prejudice and oppression is beginning to emerge; however, many behavior analysts may not have sufficient training to address these complex societal issues. A review of the underpinnings of how prejudices emerge and are maintained throughout society is offered. In addition, a behavior analytic account of prejudices is discussed. Barriers to addressing prejudice are reviewed along with current strategies that have been studied to increase cultural understanding and minimize biases. Behavior analysts can become potent agents of change by advocating for effective training programs and practices which promote cultural humility, diversity, and cultural responsiveness. Prejudice is pervasive and must be addressed on an individual and organizational/institutional level. This chapter offers recommendations on how to accomplish this task. The chapter concludes with a call for behavior analysts to venture into areas such as public health, social justice reform, and politics to allow our understanding of how behavior can be changed to influence policies in order to create a more socially just and less prejudiced society.
Lauren A. Goodwyn
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Read, Reflect, Resist: Deconstructing Privilege
Privilege is a complex socio-political structure that affords special rights and advantages to certain groups of people. It is constantly evolving and shifting depending on one’s identity and location. Historically, certain groups have enjoyed more privilege based on societal definitions of normativity. These privileges have often been misused to discriminate against certain communities that do not fit the predefined molds of society’s normativity. While privilege can be problematic, it gives people power that can be used for good. Reading literature written by marginalized voices to understand their perspective, reflecting on an ongoing basis about your interactions and language, and resisting dominant narratives are three ways people with privilege can become more socially aware and use their power positively.
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Applying Behavior Analysis to Dismantle Racism: From Ideas to Action
Our world faces an entrenched problem of prejudicial behaviors called racism. Despite ongoing efforts of advocacy and resistance, racism has persisted across generations and cultures. The chapter proposes ways that behavior analysts can learn about racism from a behavioral perspective, extend experimental analyses of prejudice, and intervene to reduce racism in varied settings. We aim to describe both traditional behavior-analytic and functional contextualist accounts of racism and summarize the limited related empirical and applied research. The review suggests combining traditional behavior-analytic methods with acceptance and commitment training techniques may attenuate racism more effectively.
Kozue Matsuda, Yors Garcia, Robyn Catagnus, and Julie Ackerlund Brandt
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Rural Access to Ethical and Appropriate Behavior Analytic Treatment in Schools
Many variables exist within rural education that could pose barriers to both effective and ethical treatment. Often, schools do not have the time, money, or people needed to put an intensive and optimal program in place. When that happens, behavior analysts will often use shortcuts to circumvent the problems or concede treatment all together due to imposed limitations. Knowing what ethical dilemmas and barriers often arise in educational settings in rural areas can act as a preventative measure to combat the potential issues. What a rural school is missing in resources, however, can be overcome with creative planning and open-minded dedication to the cause.
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Sexual Harassment in the Modern Era
Sexual harassment is deeply rooted in society and influenced by long-standing social norms that sexualize and objectify women and assume women and sexual or gender minorities hold inferior status. It occurs in educational institutions, housing, on the street, and in diverse workplaces including healthcare, law, government, the military, food services, retail, and film. The definition of sexual harassment encompasses sexual coercion, unwanted sexual attention, and gender harassment or bias. Gender harassment manifests as insulting and hostile attitudes and behaviors towards members of one gender, whether men, women, or non-binary individuals. Harassment usually indicates a desire to exert power, rather than sexual attraction. Consequences for the victim include depression, anxiety, burnout, lower productivity, loss of confidence, and slower career advancement. Fears of retaliation lead to fewer reports.
Connie B. Newman and Kim Templeton
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Stop Judging a Person by Their Cover: How Stereotypes Limit Our Connection with Others
Social categorization and an ensuing outcome of social categorization, stereotyping, inadvertently promote prejudice and social discord. B.F. Skinner’s Walden Two envisioned a world in which the societal structures of his authored utopia, would be governed by the scientific principles that human behavior is learned based on the environment. He postulates that if we engage in an “experimental attitude towards everything” a social process of negative value, for example stereotyping, would become obsolete (Skinner, 1948). In this essay, social categorization and stereotyping will be presented as an ongoing social challenge rooted in individual biases based on one’s learning history. This essay will discuss ways in which behavior analytic principles could be used effectively to address this socially significant limitation by using relational frame theory, stimulus equivalence, and compassion.
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An Overdue and Urgent Topic for Behavior Analysis
Behavior analysis has been concerned with the betterment of humanity since its inception. It is entirely congruent with its foundational principles and historical applications to focus on social justice. Furthermore, it is inextricably linked to social validity; we seek to have our work valued and for the changes that occur to be indicated as meaningful by those we serve to assist (Kazdin; 1977; Wolf, 1978). Behavior analysts need to broaden their lens to include social justice in the analysis of individual and social problems and in the training of the next generation of behavior analysts. Like other newer areas receiving intense attention in the field, such as compassionate care, interprofessional collaboration, and cultural humility, social justice is an essential focus. Much of the work that has been done in allied fields serves as instruction for us, and our own field’s rich demonstrations of effectiveness provides confidence that we can learn more about this as well. As Skinner (1948) said, “It is not a question of starting. The start has been made. It’s a question of what’s to be done from now on.” (p. 257). As we strive to understand and change the world, we will be echoing the optimism of our predecessors and expanding the range of impacts behavior analysis has had on all of humanity.
Mary Jane Weiss
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A Global Social Tool or Dilemma?
Social media is defined by the Oxford Languages as “websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking” (Social Media, n.d.). Some have suggested that certified behavior analysts stay off these platforms entirely (John S. Bailey, personal communication, September 13, 2018) and others suggested ways certified behavior analysts can engage with social media (O’Leary et al., 2015). I believe exploring social media for what it is, an operant chamber at an unprecedented scale, is the first and foremost discussion required. This chapter will provide a general overview of how social media platforms work, what they sell, and how this may be of use to an individual, organization, and the field of Behavior Analysis. General recommendations and concerns for individual creators, the field, and the global society at large are included with calls for empirical investigation and clarification from content creators operating from the behavior analytic worldview.
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Stigma through a Behavioral Lens: A Kenyan Perspective
Stigmas are ubiquitous and are observed across various groups, regardless of size and also between individuals. This chapter discusses definitions, types of stigmas including public and self-stigma, and personal responses to stigma. A behavioral perspective is explored on the perpetuation of stigma and the creation of change within marginalized communities. As a Kenyan woman running centers for individuals with developmental disorders in Kenya and Tanzania, I share personal experiences, myths, and misconceptions encountered that have led to stigmatization within these communities. Many countries have constitutions declaring rights for individuals with different abilities, yet much remains to be done. Knowledge on what to do can create change and pave a way forward.
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A Derived Relational Account of Cultural Biases
A stimulus class can be defined as a group of non-identical stimuli that each occasion a similar response. The primary characteristic is mutual substitutability of class members within a given context and as such each member occasions a similar response. Many stimulus-stimulus relations have been explored and combined into intricate networks of emergent relations. Additional processes such as stimulus generalization, contextual control, and transfer of function combine with derived relational responding to form classes of almost unimaginable size and complexity. The derived relational account has been used to explain more contemporary and socially relevant concepts such as private events, mental disorders, and cultural biases. This chapter will review the literature and provide a partial explanation for prejudice, bias, discrimination, and even racism.
Leif K. Albright, Bryan J. Blair, and Daniel M. Ferman
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Urban Planning through a Behavior Analytic Lens
Urban Planning refers to the process of developing, designing, and organizing urban areas. Urban planning focuses on advocating for social justice within the community (Davidoff, 1965). Pertaining to social justice and behavior analysis, Wilhite (2016) refers to the BACB code to urge behavior analysts to make progress towards social justice by educating individuals both inside and outside of our field. Social justice refers to all individuals deserving equal economic, political, and social rights. Social injustices occur when economic, political, and social equality leads to disadvantages. The United States of America has a long history of social injustice namely, institutional racism (Lawrence & Keleher, 2004). Institutional Racism is the systematic distribution of power, opportunity, and resources in society to benefit White people at the expense of people of color (Gee & Ford, 2011). This type of racism is built into systematic policies and practices within an institution, including the institution of slavery, forcing indigenous people from their own land, Jim Crow laws, segregation, and internment camps. Although most of these institutions no longer exist, they continue to have a significant impact on modern society (i.e., housing, education, healthcare, law enforcement, and prison).
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Wellness and the Use of Acceptance Commitment Training in the Workplace
Work-life balance and burnout are buzzwords in current work culture with serious consequences if ignored. Those who are in helping fields, such as behavior analysis, are often spending their days putting others ahead of themselves, making them especially susceptible to burnout. This chapter reviews the statistics of workplace stress and burnout, common organizational misalignments and employee behavior patterns, and the business ramifications for ignoring employee well-being. Behavior analysts have a unique skill set to be able to identify, measure, and modify socially significant behavior and should prioritize well-being behaviors within themselves and amongst their teams to become and remain successful. Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACTr) offers a supplemental skillset to behavior analysts willing to study private behaviors that can be applied to workplace well-being. This chapter offers one simple tool for employees to begin immediately targeting work-life balance and well-being for themselves and their teams.
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Lessons Learned and Continued Reflections
It is important to note that this is a starting point to a conversation on white saviorism, as well as a snapshot in time, from the perspective of a white American woman who has worked outside of her home country for the past decade. Mistakes have been made over the years in international ABA dissemination work and this chapter is written from lessons learned and knowledge gained. In the field of Applied Behavior Analysis, philosophical doubt is one of the six attitudes of science which must be used to ask questions and seek the truth. This chapter does not claim to be everything one needs to learn about white saviorism, but it is a humble start and a call to action for additional research and input. This chapter will outline information about white saviorism and pose questions to help you challenge your preconceived views. It will discuss barriers to understanding white saviorism and share lessons and examples about individual and group behavior, with the goal of combating and preventing white saviorism in the world.
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Designing Organizations with Love: An ACT Prosocial Framework for Social Justice, Diversity, and Inclusion
Evolutionary and behavioral theorists have proposed parallel selective processes at the levels of species, individual behavior, and group cultural practices. Advantages selected for at one level may lead to disadvantages at the others, leading to poor outcomes for all. Nevertheless, groups can self-organize in ways that balance within- and between- group selections to the benefit of the individual, group, species, and planet. The ACT Prosocial framework is such a process; it involves designing for the future by looking to the past and positively reinforcing others’ contributions as a special class of what Skinner called “loving your enemies.” In a Prosocial implementation process, diverse members of the group are included, and their voices are actively sought when solving problems. Among other desired outcomes, this process promotes diversity, inclusion, and social justice.