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From Aversive, Toward Appetitive: A Behavioral Conceptual Analysis of Compassion
Hannah Kaplan-Reimer1,2, Megan Duffy Cassella2, Melanie R Schanke1,3
1Louisiana Contextual Science Research Group, Lafayette, LA USA.
Behavior Analysis in Practice
|April 20, 2026
Summary
Behavior analytic practice can be made more compassionate by defining compassion functionally. This approach integrates warmth and flexibility into behavior analysis, fostering better learning environments.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Psychology
Background:
- Behavior analytic practice is prosocial, aiming to enhance individual repertoires.
- Criticism exists regarding behavior analysis's perceived lack of compassionate qualities like warmth and flexibility.
- There is growing interest in integrating compassionate practices within behavior analytic principles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a functional definition of compassion applicable to behavior analytic practice.
- To review compassion features in existing behavior analytic literature.
- To explore implications for creating compassionate learning and nurturing contexts.
Main Methods:
- Review of compassion in behavior analytic literature.
- Conceptual analysis of converging functional dimensions.
- Proposal of a functional definition based on interlocking functional relations.
Main Results:
- Identified features of compassion within behavior analytic literature.
- Developed a comprehensive conceptual analysis of compassion's functional dimensions.
- Proposed a functional definition of compassion for behavior analytic practice.
Conclusions:
- A functional definition of compassion can make it actionable within behavior analysis.
- This conceptualization supports creating compassionate learning environments.
- Nurturing compassionate behavior is a key implication for practice.
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