1st Edition
A Scientific Framework for Compassion and Social Justice Lessons in Applied Behavior Analysis
A Scientific Framework for Compassion and Social Justice provides readers with an in-depth understanding of the behavior analytic principles that maintain social justice issues and highlights behavior analytic principles that promote self-awareness and compassion.
Expanding on the goals of the field of applied behavioral analysis (ABA), this collection of essays from subject-matter experts in various fields combines personal experiences, scientific explanations, and effective strategies to promote a better existence; a better world. Chapters investigate the self-imposed barriers that contribute to human suffering and offer scientific explanations as to how the environment can systematically be shaped and generate a sociocultural system that promotes harmony, equality, fulfilment, and love.
The goal of this text is to help the reader focus overwhelming feelings of confusion and upheaval into action and to make a stand for social justice while mobilizing others to take value-based actions. The lifelong benefit of these essays extends beyond ABA practitioners to readers in gender studies, diversity studies, education, public health, and other mental health fields.
INTRODUCTION
Metta-Contingencies
Michelle L. Zube
1 ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT TRAINING
Acting to Support Compassion-Focused Applied Behavior Analysis
Jonathan Tarbox and Kristine Rodriguez
2 AGEISM
Reconsidering Aging: An Examination of Contextual Factors and the Construct of Old Age
Claudia Drossel and Rachel VanPutten
3 ABA: AN EVOLUTION
Rooted in Compassion: How B.F. Skinner Planted the Seeds of Social Justice for Behavior Analysis and How We Have Grown Over the Past 70 Years
Sarah Trautman
4 BEHAVIORAL ECONOMICS
In Health and in Sickness: Irrationality of the Decision-Making Process
Liliane de Aguiar-Rocha
5 BLACK LIVES MATTER
From Theoretical Conceptualization to Function-Based Real-Life Application
Denisha Gingles
6 BLAME
Not I: A Behavioral Conceptualization of Perpetrator Blame
Eva Lieberman, Emily Sandoz, and Karen Kate Kellum
7 BULLYING
Queen Bees, Wannabees, Bee-havior Analysts: Looking at Bullying through a Behavioral Lens
Ann Beirne
8 BURNOUT & SELF-CARE
Filling your Vessel: Recognizing Burnout and Choosing Self-Care
Crystal Thompson
9 COMPASSION
The Role of Compassion in Social Justice Efforts
Linda A. LeBlanc, Denisha Gingles, and Erika Byers
10 CONNECTEDNESS
Lessons in Cultural Humility, Racial Capitalism, Racial Colorblindness, Implicit Bias, and Colorism
Miguel E. Gallardo
11 CORRUPTION
An Integrity Violation Examined from a Behavior Analytic Perspective
Tete Kobla Agbota
12 CULTURAL RESPONSIVENESS
The Development and Implications of Cultural Responsive Practices to Behavior Change Programs
Cherelle Maschè Williams
13 CULTURALLY AWARE PRACTICE
Cultural Considerations for Delivering Effective Treatment
Lina Slim and David Celiberti
14 CULTURE
A Cultural Behavioral Systems Science Perspective on the Struggle for Social Justice
Traci M. Cihon and Kyosuke Kazaoka
15 THE DO BETTER MOVEMENT
The Science of Togetherness
Megan Miller and Jennifer Phelps
16 EQUITABLE EDUCATION
The Role of Behavior Analysts in Providing Equitable Services for Clients in Public Schools
Nicole Hollins and Stephanie Peterson
17 FEMINISM
We Can Shatter Glass: An Optimistic Reminder to Behavior-Analytic Feminists
Natali Wachtman Perilo and Julie Ackerlund Brandt
18 GENDERED LANGUAGE
Moving toward a Compassionate Gender Expansive Society
Arin R. Donovan
19 GLOBAL IMPACT
Standing for Science Takes a Village – An International One
David Celiberti, Maithri Sivaraman, and Lina Slim
20 HIGHER EDUCATION
Evidence- Based Teaching in Culturally Responsive Higher Education
Lauren K. Schnell and April N. Kisamore
21 HUMANITY OF ABA
ABA as a Humane Approach
David Celiberti, Kirsten Wirth, and Kate McKenna
22 INCLUSIVITY
"We’ve Tried Nothing and We’re All out of Ideas!": Disruptive Behavior and Faith- based Congregations
Bobby Newman
23 INCOME INEQUALITY
Understanding the Needs of Economically Disadvantaged Children and Families
Margaret Uwayo, Mya Hernandez, and Denise Ross
24 INDIGENOUS RIGHTS
Finding the Trail: Indigenous Considerations for Decolonizing Research and Clinical Work
Louis Busch and Angela Levasseur
25 ISLAMOPHOBIA
Behavior Analysis and Islamophobia: A Behaviorist Point of View
Wafa Attallah Aljohani
26 CRIMINAL JUSTICE
The Implications of Dissemination of Applied Behavior Analysis in the Criminal Justice System
Bree Lutzow
27 LGBTQ2IA
Supporting Ontogenic and Cultural Compassion Building for the LGBTQ2IA Community
Worner Leland, August Stockwell, and Janani Vaidya
28 MICROAGGRESSIONS
Addressing Microaggressions in the Workplace Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Shaneeria Persaud and Stephanie Bolden
29 MINDFULNESS
Skills and Lessons Learned during the 2020 Pandemic: A Behavior Analytic View of Honing Mindfulness, Awareness, and Kindness
Jessica L. Fuller
30 ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT
Promoting a Compassionate Culture within an Organization
Jacob A. Sadavoy and Michelle L. Zube
31 NEPANTLA
Finding Spirit: The Pedagogy of Nepantla
Shahla Ala’i and Alicia Re Cruz
32 NEURODIVERSITY & ABLEISM
From Accountant to Advocate: Ableism and Neurodiversity in the Workplace
Thomas Iland
33 PERSPECTIVE TAKING
A Relational Frame Approach to Understanding Perspective-Taking in Compassion and Social Justice
Yors Garcia, Meredith Andrews, and Lisa Brothers
34 PREJUDICE AND OPPRESSION
Addressing Societal Issues of Prejudice and Oppression: How Can Behavior Analysis Help?
Lauren A. Goodwyn
35 PRIVILEGE
Read, Reflect, Resist: Deconstructing Privilege
Sanyukta Bafna
36 RACISM
Applying Behavior Analysis to Dismantle Racism: From Ideas to Action
Kozue Matsuda, Yors Garcia, Robyn Catagnus, and Julie Ackerlund Brandt
37 RURAL ACCESS
Rural Access to Ethical and Appropriate Behavior Analytic Treatment in Schools
R. Nicolle Carr
38 SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Sexual Harassment in the Modern Era
Connie B. Newman and Kim Templeton
39 SOCIAL CATEGORIZATION & STEREOTYPES
Stop Judging a Person by Their Cover: How Stereotypes Limit Our Connection with Others
Jacob A. Sadavoy
40 SOCIAL JUSTICE
An Overdue and Urgent Topic for Behavior Analysis
Mary Jane Weiss
41 SOCIAL MEDIA
A Global Social Tool or Dilemma?
Ryan L. O’Donnell
42 STIGMA
Stigma through a Behavioral Lens: A Kenyan Perspective
Pooja Panesar
43 STIMULUS EQUIVALENCE
A Derived Relational Account of Cultural Biases
Leif K. Albright, Bryan J. Blair, and Daniel M. Ferman
44 URBAN PLANNING
Urban Planning through a Behavior Analytic Lens
May Chriseline Beaubrun
45 WELLNESS
Wellness and the Use of Acceptance Commitment Training in the Workplace
Kate Elizabeth Harrison
46 WHITE SAVIORISM
Lessons Learned and Continued Reflections
Whitney Hammel Anny
CONCLUSION
Designing Organizations with Love: An ACT Prosocial Framework for Social Justice, Diversity, and Inclusion
Thomas G. Szabo
FINAL THOUGHTS
Michelle L. Zube
Index
Biography
Jacob A. Sadavoy, QBA, BCBA, has 20 years of behavior analytic experience improving socially significant outcomes in schools, centers, businesses, hospitals, and homes in more than 15 different countries.
Michelle L. Zube, MA, BCBA, has been in the field of behavior analysis for over 15 years consulting for schools and businesses both locally and internationally. She believes in the utility of the science and its broader applications for meaningful and sustainable change.
"From mindfulness to income inequality to urban planning, Sadavoy and Zube’s ambitious tome is a must read for all behavior analysts! These essays are filled with ideas on how to incorporate compassion into our work, and how the science of behavior can be applied to a wide range of critical social issues. If you want to know what Love has to do with it, and how behavior analysis can indeed change the world, this is a great place to start."
Bridget A. Taylor, PsyD, BCBA-D, Alpine Learning Group
"The field of behavior analysis has waited a long time for a book like this, almost too long, but it’s right on time. The content serves as the beginnings to an actionable methodology for anyone ready to embrace the science of behavior analysis as a powerful vehicle for positive social change. Threaded together by themes of compassion, humility, and justice, this book arrives as a call to action for all of us to reflect on our own values and beliefs and how they inform our work as practitioners of behavior analysis. Undoubtedly, this is an essential reading for everyone in our field and at all levels."
Nasiah Cirincione-Ulezi, EdD, BCBA, CEO & founder, ULEZI, LLC"Skinner's vision of behavior analysis was that it was a generic science that would one day be seen to be relevant for all human behavior. Clearly that vision has not been realized. Behavior analysis has flourished under one tail of the normal distribution but it has not often ventured very far out and underthe dome of that distribution. At least that is how the field is viewed by most people outside of it. Needed are demonstrations that make good on Skinner's vision and this book fits the bill perfectly. The expanse of its conceptual diversity is unmatched by any behavior analytic books I have in my extensive collection. The book is timely without being trendy and could ultimately serve as a go to resource for persons interested in behavior analytic perspectives on contemporary, cultural, and professional issues."
Patrick C. Friman, PhD, ABPP, vice president of Behavioral Health, Boys Town; clinical professor of Pediatrics, UNMC
