The TL/DR...
- Behavior analysis is the science of human behavior which focuses on how behaviors can be modified in positive ways to support the individual’s efforts to achieve life goals.
- Central to the practice of behavior analysis is the premise that understanding why a person acts the way they do can guide the development of successful behavioral intervention strategies.
- Although commonly associated with developmental disabilities, the field of behavior analysis is used in many areas such as the enhancement of workplace safety, care of older adults, performance in sports, health and fitness, and environmental sustainability.
Long before much was known about psychology or how cognition controls our actions, certain aspects of human behavior were linked to superstitious beliefs. For example, during the Middle Ages people wore “charms” like talismans and amulets to ward off “evil spirits” and bring good luck. Some behaviors fueled by superstition continue even to this day. Think of the athlete who engages in certain pre-game rituals, such as wearing a specific pair of socks during every competition, believing those socks will bring a win. While many of these behaviors are harmless, when taken to an extreme, some can impede an individual’s ability to meaningfully participate in everyday life activities, highlighting the need for an evidence-based, therapeutic intervention. For these individuals, the practice of behavior analysis can help.
Behavior analysis is the science of human behavior with a focus on how behavior can be modified so that a person is able to engage positively with others in their immediate environment. Certified behavior analysts work with a variety of populations such as children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, adults with health and wellness behavior change goals, and people with substance use disorders, among others. This work takes place across different settings that include homes, hospitals, corporations, and clinics. Kristy Park, associate professor of Behavior Analysis within the Special Education Program at George Mason University, recently provided an overview of this discipline.
At the core of the practice of behavior analysis is the need to understand why a person behaves the way they do.
Central to the practice of behavior analysis is the premise that understanding why a person acts the way they do can guide the development of an intervention strategy that will support an individual in adopting behaviors that are more beneficial and aligned with their life goals. This approach is based on the idea that a person’s interaction with another individual or with their immediate environment elicits certain responses, and that future behaviors will be influenced by the consequences or outcomes of those responses. In the realm of behavior analysis, this is referred to as the ABC Model.
Both positive and negative reinforcement can modify behaviors.
The acronym ‘ABC’ stands for Antecedent (what happens immediately before a person acts), Behavior (the individual’s measurable response to an event or something in their environment), and Consequence (the outcome following the behavior exhibited by the person). Behavior analysts working with an individual will recognize positive behaviors with “reinforcers” that are intended to encourage the repeat of the desired behavior. For example, a child who is successful in following the teacher’s directions to work quietly in completing a certain task in class may get a sticker which recognizes the positive behavior of that young learner. Since the sticker signifies praise from the teacher—something especially important and meaningful to the child—they are more likely to repeat that positive behavior in future interactions with the teacher.
The scenario described above illustrates the concept of positive reinforcement. But within the framework of the ABC Model, behavioral changes can also be promoted through negative reinforcement. This is where certain behaviors can be modified by eliminating a task the person does not like to do or by removing something from their environment that they find objectionable and which may trigger a negative response. An example is eliminating loud noises from the immediate environment of a child with autism spectrum disorder. The presence of this type of stimuli may cause that child to behave in a disruptive or self-destructive manner. Removal of the stimuli will reduce the incidence of challenging behaviors. In turn, this will increase the ability of the child to participate in educational, social, and community activities that can improve their life and allow them to direct their energies to learning new beneficial skills.
Subspecialties in Behavior Analysis
When people think of behavior analysis, what frequently comes to mind is how this discipline can be used to develop behavioral therapies for children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. But there are many other important subspecialties of behavior analysis as described in factsheets produced by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. Among these is Organizational Behavior Management which centers on “assessing and changing the work environment to improve employee performance and workplace culture.” One of the outcomes of this subspecialty is the improvement of behavior-based safety, which has led to a reduction in workplace accidents and injuries.
As the population of the United States ages, another important subspecialty is Behavioral Gerontology. This subspecialty addresses how behavior analysts can work with older adults to implement “sustainable, non-pharmacological supports to enhance quality of life and care services, decrease challenging behaviors, maintain daily life skills, implement memory and language programs, preserve medication adherence, and prolong independence.”
Other subspecialties address sports psychology, health and fitness, environmental sustainability, and many other areas where behavior analysis interventions have been shown to be effective.
To learn more about degree offerings in the Special Education Program at George Mason University, including the master’s concentration in Behavior Analysis, please visit the program website.