PS558 Discussion
Current Issues and Future Directions in Applied Behavior Analysis
In recent years and, perhaps with growing voices, many researchers, practitioners, and participants have aired concerns and criticisms about some cultural and practice issues central to applied behavior analysis. Be sure you have reviewed the readings in this unit, as they will provide information on some of these concerns, identify areas for further critical exploration, and suggest paths to correction in these areas.
Please respond to the following:
- Name and describe three concerns or criticisms of applied behavior analysis raised in this week's readings.
- What are some of the reasons cited that these issues are problematic for the field of applied behavior analysis?
- Based on your readings, what steps for development might, in the future, help to alleviate these concerns and help to move applied behavior analysis closer to cultural competency, cultural responsiveness, and diversity?
Review two of your classmates' responses, using the following ideas as a guide and asking follow-up questions that promote further analysis and development:
- Provide feedback on whether adequate justification for the criticisms is described.
- Do the areas of concern need to be addressed? Why or why not?
- Are there signs of progress in addressing some concerns surrounding practice in applied behavior analysis? Reply to Scott Wall: The three criticisms of ABA I will discuss this week are the controversy surrounding punishment and use of shock, intervention intensity, and stereotypic behavior. First, punishment is the most controversial part of ABA due to two primary reasons: confusing it with the common English language and misusing it as a tool (Cooper et al., 2019). Since the field is primarily concerned with modifying socially significant behavior, on paper, attempting to reduce skills seems counterintuitive. Also, shock therapy is notorious for its use in stopping repetitive behaviors; however, the study is famously acclaimed to actually use shocks to modify life-threatening behaviors (Leaf et al., 2022). In the future, by strictly and ethically implementing punishment and, when data support, intervening when necessary, social perception can change. Next, intervention intensity is controversial because common caseloads are 40 hours a week with ABA constantly at use at home (Leaf et al., 2022). Culturally, this may cause concern because the family's perception of effectiveness is influenced by how often it affects them, so they may feel it's ineffective because it's present in many environments. In the future, we can diminish these effects by explaining to families why interventions need consistency and explain why so much work is needed. Finally, stereotypic behavior is surrounded by controversy because some people see no reason to reduce it, as if we are making neurodivergent individuals conform to society's expectations (Leaf et al., 2022). In the future, we should explain how stereotypic behaviors can interfere with an individual's day-to-day life, such as the dangers of fixating on one’s hand while driving, cutting, etc. Overall, these three examples demonstrate how controversies surrounding cultures have existed in ABA’s short lifespan, which all seemingly originate in unclear communication about why parts of ABA look the way they do. By improving in each element of DEI through constant adaptation to developing modern culture, we will develop ABA as a culturally aware practice.
ReferencesCooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2019). Applied Behavior Analysis (3rd Edition). Hoboken, NJ: Pearson Education.Leaf, J. B., Cihon, J. H., Leaf, R., McEachin, J., Liu, N., Russell, N., Unumb, L., Shapiro, S., & Khosrowshahi, D. (2022). Concerns about ABA-Based Intervention: An Evaluation and Recommendations. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 52(6), 2838–2853. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05137-y Reply to Audri Linton : Within this week's readings, aversive procedures, lack of cultural responsiveness, and unethical historical practices were listed as concerns for ABA. Starting with historical practices, Capriotti & Donaldson (2021) state that ABA was once used to change an individual's sexuality. This is very unethical and can be harmful to one's emotional state. Secondly, I am sure we all watched the electric shock videos in high school psychology class, but this punishment procedure was actually used in the early years of ABA (Leaf et al., 2021). ABA has faced a lot of backlash for the use of punishment and extinction procedures. This causes concern for a client's dignity and autonomy. These two historical practices are so problematic in this field because it is unethical to treat people, especially those who cannot fully speak for themselves in this way. Lastly, cultural responsiveness has not always been a strong suit within the field of ABA. Behavior analysts have not always done their part to advocate for those who are a part of minorities, which leads to a lack of research for these groups (Capriotti & Donaldson, 2021). In the past, it was common to focus on how to reduce behaviors that some individuals cannot easily control such as stimming. These issues are problematic within the field because this limits research and our ability to work with diverse individuals. Despite these concerns, these articles give advice on how ABA can toward a more accepting and improved science. One way to do this is for organizations and behavior analysts to take a firm stance on their ethics, and advocate for those who need it (Capriotti & Donaldson, 2021). This includes using ABA therapy to help change actual problem behavior, not someone's sexuality. Secondly, the field of ABA can continue to focus on reinforcement rather than punishment (Leaf et al., 2021). This looks like using a least-restrictive approach first to minimize the use of punishment. These tactics can help ABA become more culturally competent and inclusive. References: Capriotti, M. R., & Donaldson, J. M. (2021). “why don’t behavior analysts do something?”1 behavior analysts’ historical, present, and potential future actions on sexual and Gender Minority Issues. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 55(1), 19–39. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.884 Leaf, J. B., Cihon, J. H., Leaf, R., McEachin, J., Liu, N., Russell, N., Unumb, L., Shapiro, S., & Khosrowshahi, D. (2021). Concerns about ABA-based intervention: An evaluation and recommendations. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 52(6), 2838–2853. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05137-y