How to Think Like a Behavior Analyst

How to Think Like a Behavior Analyst is a revolutionary resource for understanding complex human behavior and making potentially significant quality of life improvements. Behavior analysts offer a worldview of the human condition different than almost any other professional perspective. To a behavior analyst, human behavior is largely learned and subject to change if the right variables are put into play. This is an empowering outlook, providing an opportunity for individuals to analyze the actions of those around them and an understanding of why others exhibit such behavior.

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 textis 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.

Customer Reviews:

The Thinking Behind ABA

By Paul Chance - July 22, 2006

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,"... read more

Order the Book-Shape the behavior you desire

By Debbie Strother - July 28, 2006

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... read more

A much needed book for the field of ABA

By Kenneth F. Reeve - July 11, 2006

It is rare when a book serves so many purposes so wonderfully! Such is the case with "How to Think Like a Behavior Analyst." New students in the field of ABA, parents of children with autism, and new professionals in ABA can get a much needed perspective about what characterizes the field, how it is viewed in the popular media, where it stands within academia, and more. College professors now have another very valuable tool to use in their classes on ABA. Applied Behavior Analysts now have another resource to give to their clients.

Written in a very interesting but easy to understand style, "How to Think Like a Behavior Analyst" should be on the bookshelf of anyone interested in behavior change. We owe a great deal of thanks to Bailey and Burch.

AVAILABILITY
Merchant	Format	Price
Amazon US	Paperback	$19.56 - $34.95
eBooks.com	Digital (PDF)	$31.95
BookByte	Paperback	$54.07
eCampus	Paperback	~~$34.08~~ discount!