Participation by women in behavior analysis

Area of Science:

• Behavior analysis
• Scientific publishing
• Professional organizations

Background:

• Historical underrepresentation of women in scientific fields.
• Need to assess gender participation in behavior analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the participation of women in behavior analysis.
• To analyze women's roles as authors in JEAB and JABA.
• To assess women's membership in ABA and contributions to the ABA convention.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative analysis of authorship in JEAB and JABA.
• Examination of membership demographics in ABA.
• Review of contributions to the 1982 ABA convention.

Main Results:

• Men have historically authored more articles in JEAB and JABA than women.
• Women's publication rates show an upward trend in JEAB and for senior authors in JABA.
• Women constituted about half of ABA student/affiliate members but less than a third of full members.
• Women represented approximately one-third of convention poster/symposia contributors and one-seventh of invited speakers.

Conclusions:

• While women's participation in behavior analysis has increased, disparities persist.
• Further efforts are needed to achieve gender equity in authorship and leadership roles.
• The findings highlight the importance of monitoring and promoting women's contributions in scientific communities.