Applied behavioural analysis, a scientific-practical procedure that has its origin in the radical behaviourism of B. F. Skinner , has evolved a lot since pioneers like Skinner began to develop the paradigm of operant conditioning nearly 100 years ago.

In this article we will describe applied behavioural analysis and its main techniques and utilities .

Defining applied behavioural analysis

The term “applied behavioural analysis” or “applied behaviour analysis” refers to a type of procedure that uses the principles and techniques of learning psychology to modify the behaviour of people who need help. More specifically, applied behavioural analysis is based on the skinnerian operating paradigm.

In general, it consists of substituting inappropriate behaviors with others that are functionally equivalent but more desirable. To do so, it is necessary to first carry out the functional analysis of the behaviour, that is, to determine the contingencies s between the response, the motivation to execute it, the stimuli that precede it and the consequences that maintain it.

The concept is very close to that of behavior modification; currently both are often used interchangeably, although “applied behavior analysis” is considered more correct because it has a broader meaning and because it highlights the relevance of functional behavior analysis.

This discipline has been applied in a very particular way to favour the education of children with autism spectrum disorders (especially that related to language), although it is also used in people with intellectual or physical functional diversity, severe mental disorders or substance dependence, as well as in non-clinical or educational contexts.

Historical evolution

Burrhus Frederick Skinner developed the paradigm of operant conditioning by reconceptualizing the knowledge provided by his predecessors in behavioral orientation in the framework of radical behaviorism, which deals with observable behavior without treating hypothetical constructs, in particular the mind, as basic components.

However, unlike what many psychologists think, the operating model and radical behaviorism do not deny or ignore the importance of thoughts and other intermediary psychological variables. In fact, the most common thing in the functional analysis of behavior is the inclusion of motivations, beliefs, expectations and other cognitive processes.

Applied behavioural analysis as such dates back to the 1960s . At this time, researchers and theorists from the universities of Washington and Kansas began to work systematically in this field and founded the journal “Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis”, of which Skinner himself would be president until his death.

An especially important academic in this field was Ivar Lovaas, who promoted and contributed in a key way to the systematization of the use of behavioral analysis applied in cases of childhood autism. The popularization of this discipline in the following decades greatly increased the range of action of applied behavioral analysis.

Techniques and methods used

Applied behavioural analysis, as with operant conditioning in general, is largely based on the concept of reinforcement , which is defined as the strengthening of a given response because its execution entails positive (or, more correctly, appetizing) consequences for the person carrying it out.

Within this framework, both the withdrawal of contingent reinforcers for undesired behaviour, which is called “extinction”, and the application of new reinforcers after the behaviour to be consolidated is carried out, are fundamental. It is preferable that the reinforcement be immediate, but beyond this it is best to individualize it.

Another key component of applied behavioural analysis is the high degree of structuring of the procedures . This allows a systematic evaluation of progress in treatment or training, and is especially important for autistic people because of their characteristic need for environmental structuring.

Some of the most common psychological techniques in applied behavioural analysis are modelling (learning by observation and imitation), shaping (progressive refinement of a response), chaining (division of complex behaviours into segments) and differential reinforcement of incompatible behaviours with those that are sought to be eliminated.

Applications of this discipline

As we have mentioned previously, the most characteristic procedures of the applied behavioural analysis are those related to autism, Asperger’s syndrome and other generalized developmental disorders . The key aspects of these disorders are deficits in communication, social interaction and the variety of behavioural repertoire.

In these cases, applied behavioural analysis has a wide variety of utilities, such as the development and improvement of spoken language and other procedural skills ; for example, it is common for children with these disorders to have difficulties in learning basic self-care skills.

From a clinical point of view, the applied behavioural analysis can be used in practically any type of problem, since it is a very general intervention framework. However, it can be particularly useful for the consolidation of alternative behaviours to those that characterise the specific pathology of the client.

Beyond education and clinical psychology, other fields in which applied behavioural analysis is used include health promotion and physical exercise, medical interventions , occupational safety, dementia management and the training and care of non-human animals.