Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2025
11:09
RBDT: A Computerized Task System based in Transposition for the Continuous Analysis of Relational Behavior Dynamics in Humans
Published on: July 17, 2021
3.1K
Behavioral contrast: An exploratory survey of practitioner experiences
Megan A Boyle1, Ximena Uribe-Zarain1, Ann M Powell1
1Department of Counseling, Leadership, and Special Education, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, USA.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
|September 7, 2023
Summary
Behavioral contrast, a change in behavior due to altered reinforcement, negatively impacts applied behavior analysis practice. Practitioners report challenges with stakeholder relations and buy-in, highlighting the need for mitigation strategies.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Psychology
- Applied Behavior Analysis
Background:
- Behavioral contrast is a phenomenon where changes in reinforcement in one setting alter behavior in an unchanged setting.
- Its implications for applied behavior analysis (ABA) practice are significant but under-researched.
- Mitigation strategies for behavioral contrast in applied settings are not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the experiences of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) with behavioral contrast in applied settings.
- To identify common themes and challenges associated with behavioral contrast.
- To understand the perceived impact of behavioral contrast on clinical practice and stakeholder interactions.
Main Methods:
- An exploratory investigation using a survey.
- Participants were Board Certified Behavior Analysts.
- Qualitative analysis of survey responses to identify themes.
Main Results:
- Behavioral contrast leads to discussions with stakeholders regarding reinforcement changes.
- Effective stakeholder support and mitigation tactics are crucial.
- Inconsistencies across settings are identified as a cause of contrast.
- Contrast negatively impacts stakeholder buy-in, rapport, and can evoke negative emotions.
Conclusions:
- Behavioral contrast is a significant issue in applied settings, not an innocuous occurrence.
- Future research should focus on predicting and controlling contrast.
- Further investigation is needed to understand the full extent of contrast's impact on clinical practice.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Behavior Modification
199
Behavioral approaches have often been criticized for ignoring mental processes and focusing solely on observable behavior. However, these approaches provide an optimistic perspective for individuals seeking to change their behaviors. Rather than concentrating on intrinsic personality traits, behavioral approaches suggest that even longstanding habits can be modified by changing the reward contingencies that maintain them.
A real-world application of operant conditioning principles is applied...
A real-world application of operant conditioning principles is applied...
199
01:24Operant Conditioning Intervention
80
Operant conditioning serves as a foundational principle in therapeutic interventions aimed at modifying maladaptive behaviors. Central to this approach is the notion that behaviors, both adaptive and maladaptive, are learned through reinforcement. By analyzing the environmental factors that reinforce problematic behaviors, clinicians can design interventions to weaken these reinforcements and replace maladaptive behaviors with healthier alternatives.
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
80
01:28Behaviorism
2.3K
The field of behaviorism was pioneered by figures such as Ivan Pavlov, John B. Watson, and B.F. Skinner fundamentally shifted the focus of psychology to the observable and controllable aspects of human and animal behavior. This shift marked a critical evolution in the discipline, emphasizing scientific rigor and experimental methodology.
The core premise of behaviorism is its focus on observable behavior rather than internal thoughts or feelings. This approach argues that true scientific...
The core premise of behaviorism is its focus on observable behavior rather than internal thoughts or feelings. This approach argues that true scientific...
2.3K
02:30Naturalistic Observations
15.5K
If you want to understand how behavior occurs, one of the best ways to gain information is to simply observe the behavior in its natural context. However, people might change their behavior in unexpected ways if they know they are being observed. How do researchers obtain accurate information when people tend to hide their natural behavior? As an example, imagine that your professor asks everyone in your class to raise their hand if they always wash their hands after using the restroom. Chances...
15.5K
01:22Behavior Therapy
78
Behavior therapy incorporates diverse techniques rooted in classical conditioning principles to address maladaptive behaviors and anxiety disorders. These methods aim to reduce avoidance behaviors, foster adaptive coping mechanisms, and alter associations between stimuli and responses, making them effective in a wide range of therapeutic contexts.
Exposure therapy is a cornerstone of behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders. It involves systematic exposure to feared stimuli, either in real...
Exposure therapy is a cornerstone of behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders. It involves systematic exposure to feared stimuli, either in real...
78
02:16Surveys
14.8K
Often, psychologists develop surveys as a means of gathering data. Surveys are lists of questions to be answered by research participants, and can be delivered as paper-and-pencil questionnaires, administered electronically, or conducted verbally. Generally, the survey itself can be completed in a short time, and the ease of administering a survey makes it easy to collect data from a large number of people.
14.8K