Recent Developments in Applied Behavior Analysis

From Watson’s declaration of the importance of a behavioral approach in psychology to Skinner’s development of radical behaviorism to the present day, applied analysis has grown and expanded in both theory and application. This week, you are learning about some more recent developments in and applications of applied behavior analysis. For this discussion, review all of the assigned readings and choose one theory or development presented in the readings which interests you. Then go to the Purdue Global Library and find one article from the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis that describes an application of that area in a research study or research review. Be sure the article you choose is no more than 5–10 years old.
respond to the following:

  • First, briefly describe the area of interest that you are exploring.
  • Next, present a brief overview of the article you chose to review.
  • Finally, using your sources throughout the course, describe why (or why not) the article you reviewed supports the specific goals and dimensions of applied behavior analysis that have been examined throughout the course.

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Sample Answer

 

 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of psychotherapy that has emerged as a significant development in applied behavior analysis (ABA) in recent years. ACT is based on the premise that psychological distress is often caused by futile attempts to control or avoid unwanted thoughts, feelings, and sensations. Instead of focusing on changing or eliminating these internal experiences, ACT emphasizes the importance of accepting them and committing to taking action in accordance with one’s values, even in the face of discomfort.

Full Answer Section

 

Overview of the Article: “Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Anxiety: A Meta-Analysis”

The article “Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Anxiety: A Meta-Analysis” by Hayes, Luoma, Bond, Watson, and Wilkens (2011) provides a comprehensive review of the empirical research on the effectiveness of ACT for anxiety disorders. The authors conducted a meta-analysis of 20 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared ACT to various control conditions, such as waitlist, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and other psychological therapies.

The results of the meta-analysis indicated that ACT was significantly more effective than control conditions in reducing anxiety symptoms. The effect sizes were moderate to large, suggesting that ACT has a substantial impact on anxiety reduction. Additionally, the authors found that ACT was associated with improvements in other mental health outcomes, such as depression, psychological flexibility, and quality of life.

Relevance to ABA

ACT is a valuable addition to the toolbox of ABA practitioners because it provides a framework for addressing psychological distress that is consistent with the principles of ABA. Specifically, ACT emphasizes the importance of observing and describing behavior without judgment, identifying functional relationships between behavior and the environment, and applying evidence-based interventions to promote adaptive behavior.

Furthermore, ACT’s emphasis on acceptance and commitment aligns with ABA’s focus on reducing the negative impact of aversive events on behavior. By helping individuals accept and commit to their values, even in the face of anxiety, ACT can promote positive behavior change and enhance psychological well-being.

Conclusion

ACT is a promising development in ABA that has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Its emphasis on acceptance, commitment, and values-based action aligns with the principles of ABA and offers a valuable approach to addressing psychological distress. As research on ACT continues to grow, we can expect to see even more innovative applications of this approach in ABA practice.

 

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