How to Think Like a Behavior Analyst

Practical, clear, and direct, this book addresses basic questions such as how behavior analysis is different from psychotherapy, what analysis involves, and the meaning of evidence-based treatment. A chapter on Applications presents tips on using behavioral procedures to improve lives and deal with others, and articulates how behavioral procedures are used in community settings. In question and answer format, the text thoroughly covers 50 frequently asked questions about behavior analysis in an educational and entertaining manner. It was developed out of questions raised by students in behavior analysis classes over the last 35 years, as well as questions raised by consumers of behavior analysis services.

This text is written for all professionals concerned with behavior, including undergraduate students in psychology and behavior analysis, parents, teachers, employers, and employees. The book can easily be used as a supplement to primary texts in introductory psychology courses, and the exercises that follow each question can be used to stimulate lively discussion in role-play and other active learning situations.

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All Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Behavior Analysis for Everyday Life, 2008-03-22
I have just read a book that brings the science of applied behavior analysis to everyone in all walks of their life. No more confusing and difficult to recall scientific terms to memorize. Applications of the science to common problems with kids, spouses, bosses, etc. are notable. Parents, teachers, supervisors - keep it as a desk reference.


0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

how to think like a behavior analyst, 2008-02-14
Book arrived quickly, and concepts are presented in a clear and easy to read manner.


1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

nice., 2007-06-04
This book had a nice, broad, informative overview of the principles and field of ABA. I enjoyed reading it.


8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

Order the Book-Shape the behavior you desire , 2006-07-29

Behavior analysis is so simply explained in the book and it can be practiced in every living room, the car, working with animals especially horses(my world). When my young blind throughbred became progressively blind, I continued the functional assessment and behavioral diagnostics that I initited when when he was rescued, starved and very abused. It took a year to shape him into a proud champion in hunter-jumper events. After a year of magic, he became progressively blind almost overnight. I had known for awhile that he as losing his sight via results of ongoing systematic assessments which were compiled in my head. My first thought after total blindness was devastation, and then I thought of Bailey's favorite saying"shape, shape, and keep shaping".And within six(6)months I was riding that blind horse doing all the type riding as before except jumping although it would be possible to shape this behavior also.

My favorite "get-away" in Fl is Seaworld in Orlando. The whale program blows me away. They have about 24 behavior analysts that work with a big group of "killer whales" and their performances are unbelievable. When I was swimming with them and they would lift me onto their nose and give me a good high flip, all I could think was "shape, shape, and keep shaping". And all of a sudden I was so proud that I was a behavior analyst-and you could be one,too.Buy the book. Debbie Strother,MS,BCBA,CABA/Equine


11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

The Thinking Behind ABA, 2006-07-22
This book is an ideal introduction to applied behavior analysis (ABA). It's brief, easy to understand, and interesting. It describes basic principles and procedures, then illustrates them with anecdotes, case studies, or research -- and does it all in nontechnical terms.

Topics are organized around 50 questions commonly asked about ABA. Most of the questions deal with what behavior analysis is and what analysts do: Is ABA psychotherapy? What does evidenced-based mean? Is all behavior learned?

A few questions deal with common misconceptions and myths about ABA (eg., is reinforcement bribery?). One myth Bailey and Burch correct concerns B. F. Skinner, the "godfather" of ABA. The myth is that Skinner raised one of his daughters, Deborah, in a box. The fact is that Skinner designed a better baby crib. The air was filtered, the temperature regulated, and instead of the usual crib bars (responsible for many injuries) there was a plate glass window. The "air crib," as Skinner called it, rested on a raised platform so that adults need not bend over to pick up or talk to the baby. Deborah was not "raised" in a box any more than you were. Yet the myth persists, along with the myths that Deborah was confined to a mental hospital or that she sued Skinner for abuse. Such stories are invented and passed along by people who want to sabotage ABA by maligning those connected with it. This book provides the facts.

The best thing about this book, though, is that it explains the thinking behind ABA. With this book you really can learn to think like a behavior analyst - and that can make a profound difference in your life. No matter what you do in life, you are going to interact with other people: spouse, children, parents, coworkers, clients, neighbors, strangers. Once you learn to look at behavior like a behavior analyst, you have a better chance of understanding your own and other people's behavior. You may also deal more effectively with behavior problems and in that way improve your life and the lives of others.

The authors have excellent credentials for writing this book. Both are board certified behavior analyst and Jon is one of the leaders in the field. Collectively, what they don't know about ABA probably isn't worth knowing.

This is not a textbook. (For an atypical example of a text, see my First Course in Applied Behavior Analysis.) But How to Think Like a Behavior Analyst is an easy and entertaining introduction to ABA that will lay the groundwork for more formal study. Anyone who will be dealing with behavior problems (and that means everyone) should read this book. Anyone who is considering a career in ABA must read this book.

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