On further development of the concept of social validity

Rethinking the Place of Qualitative Methods in Behavior Analysis

Single-case design research is pervasive and dominant in the field of behavior analysis (BA). It allows for effective application of behavior change technologies in a wide variety of real-world settings. However, as the field has grown, behavioral scholars have suggested incorporating other methods into the investigator’s toolbox to supplement single-case design. To date, the call to expand beyond using only variations of single-case design as the standard for behavior analytic research has gone largely unheard. Given the need for behavior analytic work to be more closely aligned with consumer and stakeholder needs and priorities, along with a proliferation of practitioners and researchers in the field, now is the time to consider the benefits of qualitative research methods for behavior analysts. In particular, in areas of social validity and in exploring diverse applied topics, qualitative methods may help the field of behavior analysis to achieve greater success with documenting the outcomes from behavior change interventions. The present article explores areas where behavior analysis may benefit from utilizing qualitative methods, namely social validity and breadth of topics for study, and provides examples of the value of qualitative research from other fields. A brief outline of qualitative research is provided alongside consideration of the seven dimensions of applied behavior analysis. In situations where single-case design does not offer behavior analysts sufficient methodological opportunity, qualitative research methods could form a powerful addition to the field of behavior analysis.

They have a Voice; are we Listening?

The field of applied behavior analysis (ABA) has produced powerful changes and improvements to the lives of many. However, the field is not immune from criticism. One criticism from those outside the field is that the goal of ABA therapy is to make Autistic people appear "indistinguishable" from their peers. This paper examines "indistinguishability" and its implications by defining "indistinguishable" in behavior analytic terms, exploring how the term was used in two notable studies in the field (Lovaas, 1987, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55[1], 3-9; Rekers & Lovaas, 1974, Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 7[2], 173-190), and providing a review of the social validity and ethical implications of having "indistinguishability" as an explicit or implied goal. This is partially accomplished by incorporating concerns from the Autistic self-advocate community. We argue that the Autistic self-advocate community's concerns surrounding "indistinguishability" as a goal have a degree of legitimacy and need to be given due consideration. Suggestions for addressing these concerns in ABA degree programs and research are discussed, emphasizing the importance of considering stakeholder values, taking criticisms seriously, and making changes when necessary.

Leveraging applied behavior analysis research and practice in the service of public health

Human behavior plays a central role in all domains of public health. Applied behavior analysis (ABA) research and practice can contribute to public health solutions that directly address human behavior. In this paper, we describe the field of public health, identify points of interaction between public health and ABA, summarize what ABA research has already contributed, and provide several recommendations for how ABA research and practice could continue to promote public health outcomes. A clearer focus on behavior and widespread adoption of research designs and interventions informed by the ABA literature could lead to better public health outcomes. Reciprocally, better integration of public health goals and strategies into ABA research, harnessing of technology, and more collaboration would help diversify and disseminate our applied science and could yield more effective and scalable interventions to prevent and treat public health problems.

Integrating functional measures with treatment: a tactic for enhancing personally significant change in the treatment of adults and adolescents who stutter

PURPOSE

It is proposed that stuttering treatment, particularly for adults and adolescents who stutter, may benefit from more inventive and extensive use of functional measurement-measures that are also treatment agents. Such measures can be tailored to produce more personally significant and evidence-based treatment benefits. They may be especially useful when employed in conjunction with partial self-management and performance-contingent procedures.

METHOD

Previous approaches to the definition of stuttering treatment goals and the measurement of stuttering treatment outcomes are critically reviewed. Suggestions for improvements are presented within the framework of an evidence-based and relatively standardized stuttering treatment.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Results from a review of existing literature and from 2 case studies show that 2 specific personally significant problems, saying one's name and addressing large audiences, were improved by implementing these strategies in treatment. Functional measures directly connected to treatment, and partially self-managed performance-contingent schedules, merit further research as methodologies that are suitable for conducting personally significant and evidence-based treatments with adults and adolescents who stutter.

Public awareness and social acceptability of dental therapists

OBJECTIVES

To investigate public awareness and the social acceptability of the use of dental therapists in dental care.

METHOD

A telephone survey of a representative quota sample of 500 adults (>18 years of age) in South Yorkshire, England.

RESULTS

Fifteen per cent of participants were aware of dental therapists as a professional group, of whom only three people correctly identified their 'permitted duties'. Those without problems of access to care were more likely to report awareness (P < 0.05). Fifty-seven per cent were willing to receive simple restorative treatment from a therapist, with acceptability predicted by being younger [OR 1.016 (95% CI: 1.015-1.017)] and having a perceived need for treatment [OR 1.301 (1.053-1.607)]. Fewer were willing to allow a therapist to restore a child's tooth (47%, P < 0.001, test for paired proportions) with acceptability predicted by being younger [OR 1.016 (1.015-1.017)] and being an irregular attender at the dentist [OR 1.309 (1.138-1.697)]. Forty per cent of participants expected to pay less for treatment provided by therapists with the acceptability of equal costs predicted by having access to care [OR 1.346 (1.017-1.781)].

CONCLUSION

These findings have implications for the use of dental therapists. They question patients' and the public's ability to provide informed consent for the treatment provided by them and identify a need for education of the public on the training and competence of therapists and the rationale for employing skill-mix in dentistry.

The maintenance of behavior change as an indicator of social validity

This article reviews research pertaining to use of social validity and presents a rationale for expanding the conceptualization and use of this construct. It is proposed that the degree to which obtained treatment gains maintain across time within natural contexts be considered as a primary indicator of social validity. Traditional forms of social validation--subjective evaluation and normative comparison--are presented as measures that, when used within the framework of maintaining behavior change, form an iterative and heuristic process in which behavior change goals, procedures, and outcomes are altered to increase and/or sustain their social value. Procedural guidelines for research using maintenance as the benchmark of social validity are discussed.

Help or hindrance? Staff perspectives on developmental assessment in multicultural early childhood settings

Staff members' views on developmental assessment in a multicultural early childhood setting are described and analysis of these views used to initiate a critique of current practice in assessment and evaluation of young children. Staff members expressed opinions and beliefs along a range from endorsement to frank rejection of the utility, validity, and ethics of developmental assessment. Those who reject the practice expressed a "theory" of growth and change that is incompatible with current developmentalist orthodoxy. Opinions of "dissenters" (who stated that they do not believe assessment gives meaningful information about children) suggest alternative practice with greater authenticity for families and children who are not from European American mainstream backgrounds.

Effects of initial element teaching in a story-telling context on Blissymbol acquisition and generalization

Blissymbolics is a graphic symbol system used by individuals with little or no functional speech. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of initial teaching of semantic elements on compound Blissymbol acquisition, retention, and generalization in a story-telling context. The subjects included 40 preschool children with normal cognitive abilities (mean chronological age = 45 months) who were assigned to one of two groups. Group I was taught elements before being taught compounds that contained these elements. Group II was taught elements before being taught compounds consisting of elements that were not taught previously. In addition, both groups received instruction in a second set of compounds that were taught directly, that is, without first being taught the elements. The teaching procedures and materials were socially validated by experts in Blissymbol instruction. Results indicate that the initial teaching of elements did not contribute to compound acquisition and retention, but did facilitate generalization to untrained compound Blissymbols. The results are discussed in terms of considerations for selecting an initial lexicon and Blissymbol teaching and research.

On systems analysis in autism intervention programs

Although intervention technology has grown substantially during the past quarter century, the design of intervention systems has not grown apace. This paper examines organizational arrangements that enhance and diminish treatment effectiveness and argues that defining, measuring, and manipulating systemic antecedent and consequent variables are as important as assessment and intervention on an individual client's behalf.

Behavioral assessment of children and adolescents

Primary care visits provide opportunities for behavioral assessment of children and adolescents. Screening checklists, interviewing, behavioral observations, and parent and child monitoring of behavior are feasible assessment techniques for ongoing assessment of the child's behavioral and developmental status. The incorporation of behavioral assessment in primary care will result in better identification of children's behavioral and developmental problems and an improved health care system that is responsive to all aspects of children's health.

Contributions to the History of Psychology LXXXIV. Publication Trends in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis: A Review of the First Twenty Years

Research articles published in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (JABA) during its first 20 years (1968-1987) are the focus of this review. It is an analysis of five target areas as these appear in 780 research articles published in JABA during this period. These areas include behavior(s), participant(s), setting(s), experimental design(s), and author(s) and are subdivided into more specialized categories for purpose of analysis. Results indicate that JABA has seen a variety of changes in what has been published. The implications for JABA, its history, policies, and future are discussed.