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The '''Association for Behavior Analysis International''' ('''ABAI''') is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting [[behavior analysis]]. The organization has over 7,000 members. The group organizes conferences and publishes journals on the topic of applied behavior analysis (ABA). ABAI has issued detailed, specific position papers intended to guide practitioners of ABA.
The '''Association for Behavior Analysis International''' ('''ABAI''') is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting [[behavior analysis]]. The organization has over 7,000 members. The group organizes conferences and publishes journals on the topic of applied behavior analysis (ABA). ABAI has issued detailed, specific position papers intended to guide practitioners of ABA.

⚫
ABAI is closely connected to the [[Judge Rotenberg Educational Center|Judge Rotenberg Center]] (JRC), a school that has been condemned by the [[United Nations]] for [[torture]]. ABAI has repeatedly endorsed the methods of the JRC, including its use of the [[Graduated Electronic Decelerator]], a device that delivers painful electric skin shocks as punishment for the purpose of [[behavior modification]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Network|first=Autistic Self Advocacy|date=2015-05-22|title=ASAN Statement On JRC At Association for Behavior Analysis International Conference|url=https://autisticadvocacy.org/2015/05/asan-statement-on-jrc-at-association-for-behavior-analysis-international-conference/|access-date=2020-08-11|website=Autistic Self Advocacy Network|language=en-us}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Network|first=Autistic Self Advocacy|date=2019-05-23|title=Association for Behavior Analysis International Endorses Torture|url=https://autisticadvocacy.org/2019/05/association-for-behavior-analysis-international-endorses-torture/|access-date=2020-08-11|website=Autistic Self Advocacy Network|language=en-us}}</ref> The JRC's board of directors includes [[Richard Malott]] who served as president of ABAI, and Margaret Vaughan who edits the ABAI journal ''[[The Behavior Analyst]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.judgerc.org/phone/board.html |title=Board |publisher=[[Judge Rotenberg Educational Center]] |accessdate=August 19, 2020}}</ref> ABAI has honored the JRC's private attorney, [[Robert A. Sherman]], for his legal defense of the JRC's use of punishment on its students.<ref name=":2"/>

==History==
==History==
The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) was founded in 1974 as the MidWestern Association for Behavior Analysis (MABA) to serve as an interdisciplinary group of professionals, paraprofessionals, and students.<ref name="ReferenceA">(1978) ''The Behavior Analyst, 1''(1)</ref> The first annual conference was a response by a group of behavior analysts who were having problems presenting their work at psychology conferences and other related events.<ref name= "Trends In Presentations">Kangas, B.D. & Vaidya, M. (2007). Trends in presentations at the annual conference of the association for behavior analysis. Behavioral Analysis, 30, 2, 117-131</ref> Some of the members included [[Sidney Bijou]], James Dinsmoor, Bill Hopkins, and Roger Ulrich. The first headquarters were located on the campus of [[Western Michigan University]] (WMU) in [[Kalamazoo]], Michigan. The association changed its name to the Association for Behavior Analysis in 1979.<ref>(1979) ''The Behavior Analyst, 2''(2)</ref> In 2002, the headquarters were moved off WMU's campus. In 2008, the association relocated to nearby Portage, Michigan (where it is today), and added "International" to its name.<ref name= "The Concise Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology and Behavioral Science">Craighead, W.E. & Nemeroff, C.B. (2004). Association for Behavior Analysis. In The Concise Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology and Behavioral Science. (3rd ed., pp. 87-88) Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons</ref> As of 2019, ABAI had more than 7,000 members.<ref name= "ABAI Membership">{{cite web|url=https://www.abainternational.org/membership.aspx|title=Membership - Association for Behavior Analysis International|website=Abainternational.org|accessdate=1 June 2019}}</ref>
The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) was founded in 1974 as the MidWestern Association for Behavior Analysis (MABA) to serve as an interdisciplinary group of professionals, paraprofessionals, and students.<ref name="ReferenceA">(1978) ''The Behavior Analyst, 1''(1)</ref> The first annual conference was a response by a group of behavior analysts who were having problems presenting their work at psychology conferences and other related events.<ref name= "Trends In Presentations">Kangas, B.D. & Vaidya, M. (2007). Trends in presentations at the annual conference of the association for behavior analysis. Behavioral Analysis, 30, 2, 117-131</ref> Some of the members included [[Sidney Bijou]], James Dinsmoor, Bill Hopkins, and Roger Ulrich. The first headquarters were located on the campus of [[Western Michigan University]] (WMU) in [[Kalamazoo]], Michigan. The association changed its name to the Association for Behavior Analysis in 1979.<ref>(1979) ''The Behavior Analyst, 2''(2)</ref> In 2002, the headquarters were moved off WMU's campus. In 2008, the association relocated to nearby Portage, Michigan (where it is today), and added "International" to its name.<ref name= "The Concise Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology and Behavioral Science">Craighead, W.E. & Nemeroff, C.B. (2004). Association for Behavior Analysis. In The Concise Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology and Behavioral Science. (3rd ed., pp. 87-88) Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons</ref> As of 2019, ABAI had more than 7,000 members.<ref name= "ABAI Membership">{{cite web|url=https://www.abainternational.org/membership.aspx|title=Membership - Association for Behavior Analysis International|website=Abainternational.org|accessdate=1 June 2019}}</ref>


==Activities and positions==
==Activities and positions==
ABAI organizes various conferences related to the practice and promotion of behavior analysis. Every two years, ABAI hosts an international conference.<ref name="ABAI International Conference">{{cite web|url=https://www.abainternational.org/events/international-2017.aspx|title=Conference Home - Association for Behavior Analysis International|website=Abainternational.org|accessdate=1 June 2019}}</ref> The association also holds an annual [[Autism spectrum|autism]] conference, and an annual conference dedicated to the advancements of behavior analysis.<ref name="ABAI Annual Convention">{{cite web|title=Convention Home - Association for Behavior Analysis International|url=https://www.abainternational.org/events/annual-2017.aspx|accessdate=1 June 2019|website=Abainternational.org}}</ref><ref name="ABAI Annual Conference">{{cite web|url=https://www.abainternational.org/events/autism-2017.aspx|title=Conference Home - Association for Behavior Analysis International|website=Abainternational.org|accessdate=1 June 2019}}</ref> Additionally, ABAI has hosted many single-track conferences on topics of special interest to behavior analysts, such as theory and philosophy, climate change, behavioral economics, and education.<ref name="Past ABAI conferences">{{cite web|url=https://www.abainternational.org/events/archives.aspx|title=Archives - Association for Behavior Analysis International|website=Abainternational.org|accessdate=1 June 2019}}</ref> Several times, the ABAI has invited the [[Judge Rotenberg Educational Center|Judge Rotenberg Center]] to speak at their conferences to promote the [[Graduated Electronic Decelerator]], a device that has been condemned by the [[United Nations]] as [[torture]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
ABAI organizes various conferences related to the practice and promotion of behavior analysis. Every two years, ABAI hosts an international conference.<ref name="ABAI International Conference">{{cite web|url=https://www.abainternational.org/events/international-2017.aspx|title=Conference Home - Association for Behavior Analysis International|website=Abainternational.org|accessdate=1 June 2019}}</ref> The association also holds an annual [[Autism spectrum|autism]] conference, and an annual conference dedicated to the advancements of behavior analysis.<ref name="ABAI Annual Convention">{{cite web|title=Convention Home - Association for Behavior Analysis International|url=https://www.abainternational.org/events/annual-2017.aspx|accessdate=1 June 2019|website=Abainternational.org}}</ref><ref name="ABAI Annual Conference">{{cite web|url=https://www.abainternational.org/events/autism-2017.aspx|title=Conference Home - Association for Behavior Analysis International|website=Abainternational.org|accessdate=1 June 2019}}</ref> Additionally, ABAI has hosted many single-track conferences on topics of special interest to behavior analysts, such as theory and philosophy, climate change, behavioral economics, and education.<ref name="Past ABAI conferences">{{cite web|url=https://www.abainternational.org/events/archives.aspx|title=Archives - Association for Behavior Analysis International|website=Abainternational.org|accessdate=1 June 2019}}</ref>


ABAI has published position papers to influence the practice of ABA. Published papers include ''The Right to Effective Behavioral Treatment'' (1989), ''Student's Right to Effective Education'' (1990), and ''Facilitated Communication'' (1995). The papers are distinguished by their specificity in telling practitioners what they must and must not do.<ref>{{cite book |title=Controversial Therapies for Autism and Intellectual Disabilities: Fad, Fashion, and Science in Professional Practice |page=438 |editor1=Richard M. Foxx |editor2=James A. Mulick |chapter=Ethics, Controversial Treatments, and Applied Behavior Analysis |last=Sturmey |first=Peter |publisher=Routledge |date=2015 |isbn=9781317623823}}</ref>
The ABAI Executive Council occasionally issues position statements, [ref] clarifying the organization’s stance on a handful of issues important the science and practice of behavior analysis. To date, ABAI has issued statements on The Right to Effective Behavioral Treatment (1989), Student's Right to Effective Education (1990), Facilitated Communication (1995), Restraint and Seclusion (2010), and Sexual Harassment (2019).<ref>{{cite book |title=Controversial Therapies for Autism and Intellectual Disabilities: Fad, Fashion, and Science in Professional Practice |page=438 |editor1=Richard M. Foxx |editor2=James A. Mulick |chapter=Ethics, Controversial Treatments, and Applied Behavior Analysis |last=Sturmey |first=Peter |publisher=Routledge |date=2015 |isbn=9781317623823}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Policies and Positions - Association for Behavior Analysis International|url=https://www.abainternational.org/about-us/policies-and-positions.aspx|access-date=2020-10-19|website=www.abainternational.org}}</ref>

In 2007, ABAI adopted a Code of Ethics [ref] that  “expects its members to uphold the highest standards of personal and professional behavior in the conduct of their work and the advancement of behavior analysis” and  identified several ethical codes of several like-minded organizations that are compatible with this objective, including The American Psychological Association's Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, The Association for Clinical Researchers' Code of Ethics, The Association for Institutional Research's Code of Ethics, The Behavior Analyst Certification Board's Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts, The National Association of School Psychologists' Professional Conduct Manual, The National Association of Social Workers' Code of Ethics, and The National Education Association's Code of Ethics of the Education Profession. <ref>{{Cite web|title=Policies and Positions - Association for Behavior Analysis International|url=https://www.abainternational.org/about-us/policies-and-positions.aspx|access-date=2020-10-19|website=www.abainternational.org}}</ref>


ABAI is a member of the [[Federation of Associations in Behavioral & Brain Sciences]] (FABBS)—a group of scientific organizations that are interested in advancing science in areas of the brain, mind, and behavior. It also provides support to the Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis (SABA).
ABAI is a member of the [[Federation of Associations in Behavioral & Brain Sciences]] (FABBS)—a group of scientific organizations that are interested in advancing science in areas of the brain, mind, and behavior. It also provides support to the Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis (SABA).

=== Aversives ===
{{see also| Aversives}}
⚫
The Association of Applied Behavior Analysis International is supportive of [[aversion therapy]]. In 1987, it gave the lawyer, [[Robert A. Sherman|Robert Sherman]], the Humanitarian Award for the Right to Effective Treatment for winning a case that guaranteed the [[Judge Rotenberg Educational Center|Judge Rotenberg Center]] the right to continue using [[aversives]] on its students.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=2018-07-01|title=Appointments and Resignations - Ambassador to Portugal: Who Is Robert Sherman? - AllGov - News|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701022032/www.allgov.com/news?news=851264|access-date=2020-08-18|website=web.archive.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Etzel|first=Barbara C.|last2=Hineline|first2=Philip N.|last3=Iwata|first3=Brian A.|last4=Johnston|first4=James M.|last5=Lindsley|first5=Ogden R.|last6=McGrale|first6=Jill E.|last7=Morris|first7=Edward K.|last8=Pennypacker|first8=H. S.|date=1987|title=The ABA humanitarian awards for outstanding achievement in pursuit of the right to effective treatment|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2742247/|journal=The Behavior Analyst|volume=10|issue=2|pages=235–237|issn=0738-6729|pmc=2742247|pmid=22477980}}</ref> ABAI has repeatedly endorsed the Judge Rotenberg Center's use of the [[Graduated Electronic Decelerator]], an aversive device that administers painful electric shocks and has been condemned by the [[United Nations]] as [[torture]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

⚫
The Therapist Neurodiversity Collective made a statement about ABAI's connection to the JRC: "We are appalled and horrified that the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) chooses to condone painful electric shock aversion therapy at the Judge Rotenberg Center, which the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture has condemned. We are horrified that the JRC will continue the fight to be allowed to continue torturing human beings."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://therapistndc.org/therapy/applied-behavior-analysis-aba/ |title=Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) |publisher=Therapist Neurodiversity Collective |accessdate=August 19, 2020}}</ref> Disability rights activist [[Ari Ne'eman]] criticized ABAI for continuing to host JRC topics even after the JRC came under fire from the Food and Drug Administration, the United States Department of Justice, and the United Nations special rapporteur on torture.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vox.com/2016/1/21/10801846/autism-in-a-different-key |last=Ne'eman |first=Ari |authorlink=Ari Ne'eman |date=January 21, 2006 |title=The errors—and revelations—in two major new books about autism |website=Vox |accessdate=August 19, 2020}}</ref>

===Awards===
Through the sister organization of SABA, several categories of awards are given to individuals, organizations, and ABA research during the ABAI annual convention.<ref name="SABA International Dissemination of Behavior Analysis Award">{{cite web|title=Distinguished Service to Behavior Analysis|url=http://saba.abainternational.org/awards/distinguished-service-to-behavior-analysis/?SATypeID=DSBA|website=Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis}}</ref><ref name="SABA Scientific Translation Award">{{Cite web|title=Archived copy|url=http://saba.abainternational.org/awards/Scientific-Translation/?SATypeID=AISA|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404115757/http://saba.abainternational.org/awards/Scientific-Translation/?SATypeID=AISA|archive-date=2016-04-04|access-date=2016-09-09}}</ref><ref name="SABA Effective Presentation of Behavior Analysis in the Mass Media Award">{{Cite web|title=Archived copy|url=http://saba.abainternational.org/awards/Effective-Presentation-of-Behavior-Analysis-in-the-Mass-Media/?SATypeID=EPBAMM|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404065432/http://saba.abainternational.org/awards/Effective-Presentation-of-Behavior-Analysis-in-the-Mass-Media/?SATypeID=EPBAMM|archive-date=2016-04-04|access-date=2016-09-09}}</ref><ref name="SABA Enduring Programmatic Contributions in Behavior Analysis Award">{{Cite web|title=Archived copy|url=http://saba.abainternational.org/awards/Enduring-Programmatic-Contributions-in-Behavior-Analysis/?SATypeID=EPCBA|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404115802/http://saba.abainternational.org/awards/Enduring-Programmatic-Contributions-in-Behavior-Analysis/?SATypeID=EPCBA|archive-date=2016-04-04|access-date=2016-09-09}}</ref> In 1987, ABAI gave the Humanitarian Award for the Right to Effective Treatment to a lawyer who successfully defended the Judge Rotenberg Center's right to use aversives on its students.<ref name=":2" /> In 2004, it gave the "Effective Presentation of Behavior Analysis in the Mass Media" award to [[Ivar Lovaas]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://saba.abainternational.org/awards/Effective-Presentation-of-Behavior-Analysis-in-the-Mass-Media/?SATypeID=EPBAMM |website=saba.abainternational.org |accessdate=22 August 2020}}</ref>


==Journals==
==Journals==
Line 38: Line 28:
* ''The Analysis of Verbal Behavior'' is a collection of experiments and theoretical papers regarding verbal behavior and applied behavior analysis.<ref name="The Behavior Analysis">{{cite web|url=https://www.abainternational.org/welcome.aspx|title=Welcome - Association for Behavior Analysis International|website=Abainternational.org|accessdate=1 June 2019}}</ref>
* ''The Analysis of Verbal Behavior'' is a collection of experiments and theoretical papers regarding verbal behavior and applied behavior analysis.<ref name="The Behavior Analysis">{{cite web|url=https://www.abainternational.org/welcome.aspx|title=Welcome - Association for Behavior Analysis International|website=Abainternational.org|accessdate=1 June 2019}}</ref>
* ''Behavior Analysis in Practice'' is a peer-reviewed journal that includes articles on how to efficiently practice applied behavior analysis.<ref name="The Behavior Analysis"/>
* ''Behavior Analysis in Practice'' is a peer-reviewed journal that includes articles on how to efficiently practice applied behavior analysis.<ref name="The Behavior Analysis"/>
* ''[[The Behavior Analyst]]'' is a journal that includes literary reviews, reinterpretations of published data, theoretical and experimental articles, and articles that discuss behaviorism as a philosophy.<ref name="The Behavior Analysis"/>
* ''Perspectives on Behavior Science'' (formerly ''[[The Behavior Analyst]])'' a journal that includes literary reviews, reinterpretations of published data, theoretical and experimental articles, and articles that discuss behaviorism as a philosophy.<ref name="The Behavior Analysis"/>
* ''[[The Psychological Record]]'' includes articles concerning behavioral analysis, behavioral science, and behavior theory. It was founded in 1937 by [[Jacob Robert Kantor]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.abainternational.org/journals/tpr.aspx |title=The Psychological Record |website=Association for Behavior Analysis International |access-date=2018-09-14}}</ref>
* ''[[The Psychological Record]]'' includes articles concerning behavioral analysis, behavioral science, and behavior theory. It was founded in 1937 by [[Jacob Robert Kantor]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.abainternational.org/journals/tpr.aspx |title=The Psychological Record |website=Association for Behavior Analysis International |access-date=2018-09-14}}</ref>
* ''Behavior and Social Issues'' features articles that advance the analysis of human social behavior, particularly with regard to understanding and influencing significant social problems.<ref>{{Cite web|title=BSI - Association for Behavior Analysis International|url=https://www.abainternational.org/journals/bsi.aspx|access-date=2020-10-19|website=www.abainternational.org}}</ref>
* ''Education and the Treatment of Children'' disseminates information about behavioral assessments or interventions for children and youth who are at-risk for or experiencing emotional or behavioral problems.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ETC - Association for Behavior Analysis International|url=https://www.abainternational.org/journals/etc.aspx|access-date=2020-10-19|website=www.abainternational.org}}</ref>
==Controversies==
⚫
Critics claim that ABAI is closely connected to the Judge Rotenberg Center (JRC), a school that has been condemned by the United Nations for torture, citing the presence of JRC as a routine exhibitor at their annual convention and a handle of JRC representatives giving talks at their events. These critics argue that by allowing JRC to exhibit and speak, ABAI has repeatedly endorsed the methods of the JRC, including its use of the Graduated Electronic Decelerator (GED), a device that delivers painful electric skin shocks as punishment for the purpose of behavior modification.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Network|first=Autistic Self Advocacy|date=2019-05-23|title=Association for Behavior Analysis International Endorses Torture|url=https://autisticadvocacy.org/2019/05/association-for-behavior-analysis-international-endorses-torture/|access-date=2020-10-19|website=Autistic Self Advocacy Network|language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Network|first=Autistic Self Advocacy|date=2015-05-22|title=ASAN Statement On JRC At Association for Behavior Analysis International Conference|url=https://autisticadvocacy.org/2015/05/asan-statement-on-jrc-at-association-for-behavior-analysis-international-conference/|access-date=2020-10-19|website=Autistic Self Advocacy Network|language=en-us}}</ref> ABAI rebuts this characterization, pointing to their policy stating that, “The inclusion of this material is not an indication of endorsement, authorization, sponsorship, or affiliation by ABAI of these organizations or their work, services, or the content of the material they present.”<ref>{{Cite web|title=Summary - Association for Behavior Analysis International|url=https://www.abainternational.org/events/program-details/summary.aspx?intConvId=57&a=r|access-date=2020-10-19|website=www.abainternational.org}}</ref>

The JRC's board of directors includes Richard Malott who served as president of ABAI in 2012. <ref>https://www.judgerc.org/phone/board.html</ref>

⚫
In 1987, ABAI (then, just “ABA” as “international” had not yet been added to its name) awarded JRC's private attorney, Robert A. Sherman, the “The ABA Humanitarian Award for the Right to Effective Treatment” for winning a case that guaranteed the [[Judge Rotenberg Educational Center|Judge Rotenberg Center]] the right to continue using [[aversives]] on its students.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Etzel|first=Barbara C.|last2=Hineline|first2=Philip N.|last3=Iwata|first3=Brian A.|last4=Johnston|first4=James M.|last5=Lindsley|first5=Ogden R.|last6=McGrale|first6=Jill E.|last7=Morris|first7=Edward K.|last8=Pennypacker|first8=H. S.|date=1987|title=The ABA humanitarian awards for outstanding achievement in pursuit of the right to effective treatment|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2742247/|journal=The Behavior Analyst|volume=10|issue=2|pages=235–237|issn=0738-6729|pmc=2742247|pmid=22477980}}</ref>

⚫
The Therapist Neurodiversity Collective made a statement about ABAI's connection to the JRC: "We are appalled and horrified that the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) chooses to condone painful electric shock aversion therapy at the Judge Rotenberg Center, which the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture has condemned. We are horrified that the JRC will continue the fight to be allowed to continue torturing human beings." Disability rights activist [[Ari Ne'eman]] criticized ABAI for continuing to host JRC topics even after the JRC came under fire from the Food and Drug Administration, the United States Department of Justice, and the United Nations special rapporteur on torture.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ne'eman|first=Ari|date=2016-01-21|title=The errors — and revelations — in two major new books about autism|url=https://www.vox.com/2016/1/21/10801846/autism-in-a-different-key|access-date=2020-10-19|website=Vox|language=en}}</ref>


==See also==
== See also ==
* [[Behavior analysis of child development]]
* [[Behavior analysis of child development]]
* [[Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior]]
* [[Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior]]

Revision as of 12:17, 20 October 2020

Applied Behavior Analysis International
FormerlyThe Association of Behavior Analysis
Company typeNonprofit, 501(c)(6)
FoundedKalamazoo, Michigan, U.S.
(1974 (1974))
Headquarters
Portage, Michigan
,
U.S.
Websitewww.abainternational.org

The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting behavior analysis. The organization has over 7,000 members. The group organizes conferences and publishes journals on the topic of applied behavior analysis (ABA). ABAI has issued detailed, specific position papers intended to guide practitioners of ABA.

History

The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) was founded in 1974 as the MidWestern Association for Behavior Analysis (MABA) to serve as an interdisciplinary group of professionals, paraprofessionals, and students.[1] The first annual conference was a response by a group of behavior analysts who were having problems presenting their work at psychology conferences and other related events.[2] Some of the members included Sidney Bijou, James Dinsmoor, Bill Hopkins, and Roger Ulrich. The first headquarters were located on the campus of Western Michigan University (WMU) in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The association changed its name to the Association for Behavior Analysis in 1979.[3] In 2002, the headquarters were moved off WMU's campus. In 2008, the association relocated to nearby Portage, Michigan (where it is today), and added "International" to its name.[4] As of 2019, ABAI had more than 7,000 members.[5]

Activities and positions

ABAI organizes various conferences related to the practice and promotion of behavior analysis. Every two years, ABAI hosts an international conference.[6] The association also holds an annual autism conference, and an annual conference dedicated to the advancements of behavior analysis.[7][8] Additionally, ABAI has hosted many single-track conferences on topics of special interest to behavior analysts, such as theory and philosophy, climate change, behavioral economics, and education.[9]

The ABAI Executive Council occasionally issues position statements, [ref] clarifying the organization’s stance on a handful of issues important the science and practice of behavior analysis. To date, ABAI has issued statements on The Right to Effective Behavioral Treatment (1989), Student's Right to Effective Education (1990), Facilitated Communication (1995), Restraint and Seclusion (2010), and Sexual Harassment (2019).[10][11]

In 2007, ABAI adopted a Code of Ethics [ref] that  “expects its members to uphold the highest standards of personal and professional behavior in the conduct of their work and the advancement of behavior analysis” and  identified several ethical codes of several like-minded organizations that are compatible with this objective, including The American Psychological Association's Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, The Association for Clinical Researchers' Code of Ethics, The Association for Institutional Research's Code of Ethics, The Behavior Analyst Certification Board's Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts, The National Association of School Psychologists' Professional Conduct Manual, The National Association of Social Workers' Code of Ethics, and The National Education Association's Code of Ethics of the Education Profession. [12]

ABAI is a member of the Federation of Associations in Behavioral & Brain Sciences (FABBS)—a group of scientific organizations that are interested in advancing science in areas of the brain, mind, and behavior. It also provides support to the Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis (SABA).

Journals

See also: Applied behavior analysis § Major journals

The Association of Applied Behavior Analysis International publishes four journals about behavior analysis various subjects of behavior analysis:

  • The Analysis of Verbal Behavior is a collection of experiments and theoretical papers regarding verbal behavior and applied behavior analysis.[13]
  • Behavior Analysis in Practice is a peer-reviewed journal that includes articles on how to efficiently practice applied behavior analysis.[13]
  • Perspectives on Behavior Science (formerly The Behavior Analyst) a journal that includes literary reviews, reinterpretations of published data, theoretical and experimental articles, and articles that discuss behaviorism as a philosophy.[13]
  • The Psychological Record includes articles concerning behavioral analysis, behavioral science, and behavior theory. It was founded in 1937 by Jacob Robert Kantor.[14]
  • Behavior and Social Issues features articles that advance the analysis of human social behavior, particularly with regard to understanding and influencing significant social problems.[15]
  • Education and the Treatment of Children disseminates information about behavioral assessments or interventions for children and youth who are at-risk for or experiencing emotional or behavioral problems.[16]

Controversies

Critics claim that ABAI is closely connected to the Judge Rotenberg Center (JRC), a school that has been condemned by the United Nations for torture, citing the presence of JRC as a routine exhibitor at their annual convention and a handle of JRC representatives giving talks at their events. These critics argue that by allowing JRC to exhibit and speak, ABAI has repeatedly endorsed the methods of the JRC, including its use of the Graduated Electronic Decelerator (GED), a device that delivers painful electric skin shocks as punishment for the purpose of behavior modification.[17][18] ABAI rebuts this characterization, pointing to their policy stating that, “The inclusion of this material is not an indication of endorsement, authorization, sponsorship, or affiliation by ABAI of these organizations or their work, services, or the content of the material they present.”[19]

The JRC's board of directors includes Richard Malott who served as president of ABAI in 2012. [20]

In 1987, ABAI (then, just “ABA” as “international” had not yet been added to its name) awarded JRC's private attorney, Robert A. Sherman, the “The ABA Humanitarian Award for the Right to Effective Treatment” for winning a case that guaranteed the Judge Rotenberg Center the right to continue using aversives on its students.[21]

The Therapist Neurodiversity Collective made a statement about ABAI's connection to the JRC: "We are appalled and horrified that the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) chooses to condone painful electric shock aversion therapy at the Judge Rotenberg Center, which the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture has condemned. We are horrified that the JRC will continue the fight to be allowed to continue torturing human beings." Disability rights activist Ari Ne'eman criticized ABAI for continuing to host JRC topics even after the JRC came under fire from the Food and Drug Administration, the United States Department of Justice, and the United Nations special rapporteur on torture.[22]

See also

References

  1. ^ (1978) The Behavior Analyst, 1(1)
  2. ^ (1979) The Behavior Analyst, 2(2)
  3. ^ Craighead, W.E. & Nemeroff, C.B. (2004). Association for Behavior Analysis. In The Concise Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology and Behavioral Science. (3rd ed., pp. 87-88) Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons
  4. ^ "Membership - Association for Behavior Analysis International". Abainternational.org. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  5. ^ "Conference Home - Association for Behavior Analysis International". Abainternational.org. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  6. ^ "Convention Home - Association for Behavior Analysis International". Abainternational.org. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  7. ^ "Conference Home - Association for Behavior Analysis International". Abainternational.org. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  8. ^ "Archives - Association for Behavior Analysis International". Abainternational.org. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  9. ^ Sturmey, Peter (2015). "Ethics, Controversial Treatments, and Applied Behavior Analysis". In Richard M. Foxx; James A. Mulick (eds.). Controversial Therapies for Autism and Intellectual Disabilities: Fad, Fashion, and Science in Professional Practice. Routledge. p. 438. ISBN 9781317623823.
  10. ^ "Policies and Positions - Association for Behavior Analysis International". www.abainternational.org. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  11. ^ "Policies and Positions - Association for Behavior Analysis International". www.abainternational.org. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  12. ^ a b c "Welcome - Association for Behavior Analysis International". Abainternational.org. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  13. ^ "The Psychological Record". Association for Behavior Analysis International. Retrieved 2018-09-14.
  14. ^ "BSI - Association for Behavior Analysis International". www.abainternational.org. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  15. ^ "ETC - Association for Behavior Analysis International". www.abainternational.org. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  16. ^ Network, Autistic Self Advocacy (2019-05-23). "Association for Behavior Analysis International Endorses Torture". Autistic Self Advocacy Network. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  17. ^ Network, Autistic Self Advocacy (2015-05-22). "ASAN Statement On JRC At Association for Behavior Analysis International Conference". Autistic Self Advocacy Network. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  18. ^ "Summary - Association for Behavior Analysis International". www.abainternational.org. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  19. ^ https://www.judgerc.org/phone/board.html
  20. ^ Etzel, Barbara C.; Hineline, Philip N.; Iwata, Brian A.; Johnston, James M.; Lindsley, Ogden R.; McGrale, Jill E.; Morris, Edward K.; Pennypacker, H. S. (1987). "The ABA humanitarian awards for outstanding achievement in pursuit of the right to effective treatment". The Behavior Analyst. 10 (2): 235–237. ISSN 0738-6729. PMC 2742247. PMID 22477980.
  21. ^ Ne'eman, Ari (2016-01-21). "The errors — and revelations — in two major new books about autism". Vox. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
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