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| Professional and Methodological Issues in Applied Behavior Analysis |
| Monday, May 26, 2008 |
| 10:30 AM–11:50 AM |
| PDR 3 |
| Area: TPC |
| Chair: Matthew Tincani (Temple University) |
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| Social Validity: Current Status and Practice. |
| Domain: Theory |
| RUTH M. DEBAR (The Ohio State University), Helen I. Cannella-Malone (The Ohio State University) |
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| Abstract: The importance of social validity was raised in the first publication of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis in 1968. In this seminal article, the link between applied research and social importance was included as a defining dimension of applied behavior analysis. Given that it has been nearly sixteen years since this concept received careful attention, the purpose of the current literature review sought to assess the current practice of social validity as addressed in research articles in prominent behavioral journals. The status of social validity was assessed along the author’s reporting of what, how, from whom, and when social validity data were collected. In addition, other dimensions of social validity were examined, including incorporation of maintenance, generalization, use of natural environment, and typical intervening caregivers. Detailed findings of the current practices of social validity are presented. In addition, future considerations of social validity are discussed. |
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| The Relationship of Positive Behavior Support and Applied Behavior Analysis: An Empirical Perspective. |
| Domain: Theory |
| MATTHEW TINCANI (University of Nevada), Kevin J. Filter (Minnesota State University) |
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| Abstract: A recent debate has evolved about positive behavior support and its relationship to applied behavior analysis. Although a variety of viewpoints have been offered, little data have been presented to support these varying perspectives. Presenters will describe results of a survey of behavioral professionals about PBS and ABA. Respondents were asked an array of questions, including how they value and incorporate the components of PBS and ABA in their professional work. Results suggest the need for continued dialog and collaboration among proponents of PBS and ABA. Data-based suggestions will be offered to facilitate continued discourse and collaboration among proponents of both perspectives. |
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| Have Behavior Analysts Increased and Maintained. |
| Domain: Theory |
| AMANDA E. GULD (The Ohio State University) |
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| Abstract: Baer, Wolf, and Risley (1968) stated that applied behavior analysis should strive to be capable of producing generalized outcomes. Since then, behavior analysts have encouraged research in generalization and maintenance of the behavior changes we create and categorized the generalization promoting strategies used in the literature most frequently (e.g., Stokes & Baer, 1977; Stokes & Osnes, 1989). The purpose of this paper was to extend previous reviews of the generalization and maintenance literature (i.e.,Osnes & Lieblein, 2003; Osnes, 2007) in order to determine the current procedures being used to determine when generalization and maintenance has occurred. In addition, behavior intervention studies that assessed generalization or maintenance were analyzed to determine which generalization promoting strategies the authors used and whether these procedures were responsible for producing the generalized responding found in the study. Results are discussed in terms of comparison between the results of the current review and previous reviews (i.e., Osnes & Lieblein, 2003; Osnes, 2007) and a call is made for studies that are designed to investigate the effectiveness of procedures used to produce generalization and maintenance. |
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