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The technical drift of applied behavior analysis
S C Hayes1, A Rincover, J V Solnick
1University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
|July 1, 1980
Summary
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) shows a trend toward technical application over conceptual inquiry. Research increasingly uses simpler designs, with less focus on broader generality beyond maintenance.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Background:
- Baer, Wolf, and Risley's (1968) foundational article defined key dimensions of applied behavior analysis.
- Monitoring these dimensions over time reveals shifts in research focus and methodology within the field.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in applied behavior analysis research over the first 10 volumes of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis.
- To assess changes in the application of four key dimensions: applied, analytic, general, and conceptual.
Main Methods:
- Content analysis of experimental articles published in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (Volumes 1-6 and first half of 7-10).
- Rating articles based on the presence and emphasis of applied, analytic, general, and conceptual dimensions.
Main Results:
- Applied behavior analysis research exhibits a trend towards becoming a more technical endeavor, with diminished focus on conceptual issues.
- There is a noted increase in the use of simpler experimental designs and a decrease in analogue studies.
- While concern for behavior maintenance is rising, other aspects of generality are less frequently measured or analyzed.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest a 'technical drift' in applied behavior analysis, prioritizing practical application over theoretical exploration.
- This shift may impact the breadth and depth of future research in applied behavior analysis.
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