When it comes to managing behavior, there's often debate over whether rewards or punishment is the superior method. However, recent research suggests that employing rewards, also known as positive reinforcement, is not only more effective but also more compassionate in promoting behavioral change. A study conducted by Grover, Hanley, & Ruppel (2022) discovered that most individuals prefer receiving rewards for their positive actions rather than receiving them randomly. This preference makes sense because knowing that a reward awaits for doing the right thing motivates us to continue that b ..read more

Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) play a crucial role in the therapeutic process of clients undergoing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy. They provide one-on-one clinical support, closely working with individuals who need assistance in changing their behaviors. RBTs operate under the guidance of a Behavior Analyst, also known as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). The BCBA devises specific treatment protocols, which the RBTs implement on a daily or weekly basis. These protocols are designed to guide the client through a series of behavioral changes, tailored to their unique n ..read more

What is Interview-Informed Synthesized Contingency Analysis (IISCA)? The Interview-Informed Synthesized Contingency Analysis (IISCA) is a specific type of functional analysis, an integral part of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Functional Analysis methodologies. The IISCA is designed to identify and understand the functions of challenging behaviors, which in turn informs the development of effective behavior intervention plans (source: Springer). IISCA begins with an open-ended interview with relevant caregivers or individuals closely associated with the person exhibiting the behavior. Thi ..read more

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Functional Analysis are two critical concepts in behavioral psychology that have significantly influenced therapies and interventions for individuals, particularly those with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Let's delve into these two concepts and explore their significance. What is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)? Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a type of therapy rooted in the principles of behaviorism and learning theory. It is most commonly known for treating individuals with a diagnosis of ASD, but its applications extend to various othe ..read more

Yes, I know, it sounds fancy. According to Cooper et al. (2020), non-contingent reinforcement (NCR) is a procedure in which stimuli with known reinforcing properties are presented on fixed-time or variable-time schedules completely independent of behavior, often used as an antecedent intervention to reduce problem behavior. Reinforcement is something that is desired or appreciated. Reinforcement can be positive (+) meaning it is given to or gotten by me and I like it. Reinforcement can also be negative (-) meaning it is taken from or stopped by me because it was annoying and that annoyance has ..read more

There are some who disagree that the golden rule found in Matthew 7:12 is not relevant across cultures and should be upgraded to the platinum rule because the golden rule falls short of equity (Furlong, 2017; Shulz, 2015) yet their explanations of the platinum rule is a deeper meaning of the golden rule. The popular explanation of the golden rule is not a rule that a loving, forgiving God would express, as it falls short of unconditional love and forgiveness. The golden rule is not so shallow as to say ONLY treat others as you yourself want to be treated in the minutiae of everyday life but ra ..read more

The term stimulus control means that a specific behavior occurs more often in the presence of a particular stimulus than in its absence. What does that mean? Jason has just settled into the driver’s seat of his new silver Mazda MX-5 Miata. He breathes in the new car smell as his playlist begins to play over the speakers. Jason checks all around him as he eases the car into gear and rolls off the sales lot with the top down. The sun is high in a blue sky and he has no pending appointments. The day is his. Jason makes his way out of town and settles in to the joy of driving, secure in the knowle ..read more

When I first got into the field of applied behavior analysis I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I had just left the secondary education environment where I lived with 25-40 highschool students in a dormitory. I was the administrator (Dean). Students from China, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, the U.S. Mainland and Hawaiian islanders lived in the dorm, guys upstairs and girls downstairs. My apartment was downstairs. The 7 years I spend living, teaching, working, crying, praying, telling stories to, mentoring, tutoring, and sheparding these students is an experience I wouldn’t change for ..read more

The history of applied behavior analysis (ABA) is not a history to be proud of, yet, like so many parts of the human experience, the ugly truths of history should not be repeated. Yet, we wish to have guidance from history and it may be that our history mostly teaches what not to do. For example, in the 1970's, according Jon S. Bailey and Mary R. Burch (2016)in their book entitled, "Ethics for Behavior Analysts, 3rd Edition," a recount of the Sunland Training institute tragedy. From this history of abuse, neglect, and unfathomable of the treatment of human beings, we must learn what not to do ..read more

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) rocks because it is founded on behavior principles. Where did these principles come from? Some will say they were discovered by scientists like Ivan Pavlov and B. F. Skinner. History purports that these and other men experimented on animals to test environmental variables that controlled behavior. And it appears that they did document ways to control behavior using variables that occur before and after behavior. What principles of behavior were discovered? Well, the easiest to understand is positive reinforcement. Don't zone out right here thinking you know what ..read more