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Is ACTraining Behavior Analytic? A Review of Tarbox et al. (2020)
Joseph H Cihon1,2, Henry D Schlinger3, Julia L Ferguson1,2
1Autism Partnership Foundation, 200 Marina Drive, Seal Beach, CA 90740 USA.
Behavior Analysis in Practice
|March 17, 2025
Summary
This study argues that Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACTraining) is not behavior analytic. Therefore, its use by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) may pose ethical concerns.
Area of Science:
- Behavior Analysis
- Psychological Interventions
Background:
- The study examines whether Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACTraining) aligns with behavior analytic principles and the seven dimensions of applied behavior analysis.
- It also assesses ACTraining's relevance to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) task list.
Discussion:
- The authors critically evaluate Tarbox et al.'s (2020) arguments from a pragmatic, functional-analytic perspective.
- They contend that the evidence presented is insufficient to classify ACTraining as behavior analytic.
Key Insights:
- ACTraining's methods may not meet the criteria for behavior analysis.
- This classification impacts the scope of practice for Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs).
Outlook:
- Implementing ACTraining without a disclaimer may present ethical challenges for BCBAs.
- Further clarification is needed regarding the integration of ACTraining within behavior analytic practice.
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