ABA Inside Track

As summer winds down, we’re still brining the heat with some hot research topics to discuss. First up, what’s the deal with token economies? Is one of our oldest applied technologies still all it’s cracked up to be? Then Dr. Meg Martineau has some thoughts on sustainability research for those of us who’d prefer some of our surface areas don’t become beachfront property in the next 50 years. And, while we take a much needed vacation, enjoy some bonus episodes discussing the awesome, inaugural Black Applied Behavior Analysis conference and an interview with applied animal behaviorist Dr. Patricia McConnell (featured on our recent book club cast). Articles for August 2021 Token Economies McLaughlin, T.F. & Malaby, J. (1972). Intrinsic reinforcement in a classroom token economy. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 5, 263-270. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1972.5-263 Bassett, J.E. & Blanchard, E.B. (1977). The effect of the absence of close supervision on the use of response cost in a prison token economy. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 10, 375-379. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1977.10-375 Fox, D.K., Hopkins, B.L., & Anger, W.K. (1987). The long-term effects of a token economy on safety performance in open-pit mining. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 20, 215-224. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1987.20-215 Zlomke, K. & Zlomke, L. (2003). Token economy plus self-monitoring to reduce disruptive classroom behaviors. The Behavior Analyst Today, 4, 177-182. doi: 10.1037/h0100117 Sustainability w. Dr. Meghan Martineau Schneider, S.M. & Sanguinetti, A. (2021). Positive reinforcement is just the beginning: Associative learning principles for energy efficiency and climate sustainability. Energy Research & Social Science, 74. doi: 10.1016/jrss.2021/101958 Keller, J.J. (1991). The recycling solution: How I increased recycling on Dilworth Road. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 24, 617-619. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1991.24-617 “The Other End of the Leash Book Club (in case you missed it) McConnell, P.B. (2002). The other end of the leash: Why we do what we do around dogs. Ballantine Books.

As voted on by our patrons, we read and discussed Dr. Patricia McConnell's "The Other End of the Leash".  Jackie was thrilled to suggest that our summer book club choice feature one of her favorite writers/speakers about dog behavior.  But, this book wasn't just another training manual: It delved a lot deeper into both dog and human patterns of behavior.  We learned that humans love to talk, dogs don't love being patted on the head, and just why these two Peter Pan species get along so darn well.   Even though you may not currently be one of our premium $10 patrons, enjoy this preview of our full length discussion, including our thoughts on dogs, general chat about the book, and a detailed breakdown of the first chapters.   Want to hear the rest of the episode and earn 2 CEs.? We invite you to join us on Patreon to hear the rest of this and our other full-length book clubs (plus early access to shows and some other goodies).   And, if you enjoy the discussion (or just enjoy dogs), tune back in in August for our interview with Dr. Patricia McConnell!   References for this episode: McConnell, P.B.  (2002).  The other end of the leash: Why we do what we do around dogs.  Ballantine Books.

While many of us might think that the variables maintaining police brutality have nothing to do with us, Dr. Cody Morris may disagree. In fact, in his recent article, he and his co-author, Dr. Nicole Hollins, posit that many of those variables may be responsible for direct-care staff engaging in client mistreatment. Join us as we talk red flags and responses to protect our most at-risk clients. This episode is available for 1.0 LEARNING CEU. Articles discussed this episode: Morris, C. & Hollins, N.A. (2021). On the uncanny similarities between police brutality and client mistreatment. Behavior Analysis in Practice. doi: 10.1007/s40617-021-00576-6 If you're interested in ordering CEs for listening to this episode, click here to go to the store page. You'll need to enter your name, BCBA #, and the two episode secret code words to complete the purchase. Email us at abainsidetrack@gmail.com for further assistance.

This week we continue our look at what makes practitioners practitioners and researchers researchers…and how we both need each other to create a symphony of best-practices. It’s the researchers turn at bat so we discuss studies on how to widen the window of relevant research topics, to reframe methodology into better ways to answer relevant questions, and to put social issues front and center in the laboratory. This episode is available for 1.0 LEARNING CEU. Articles discussed this episode: Baer, D.M.  (1977).  “Perhaps it would be better not to know everything.”  Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 10, 167-172.  doi: 10.1901/jaba.1977.10-167 Odom, S.L., Brantlinger, E., Gersten, R., Horner, R.H., Thompson, B., & Harris, K.R.  (2005).  Research in special education: Scientific methods and evidence-based practices.  Exceptional Children, 71, 137-148.  doi: 10.1177/001440290507100201 Fawcett, S.B.  Some values guiding community research and action.  Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 24, 621-636.  doi: 10.1901/jaba.1991.24-621 Fassinger, R. & Morrow, S.L.  (2013).  Toward best practices in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method research:  A social justice perspective.  Journal for Social Action in Counseling and Psychology, 5, 69-83.  doi: 10.33043/JSACP.5.2.69-83 Critchfield, T.S. & Reed, D.D.  (2017).  The fuzzy concept of applied behavior analysis research.  The Behavior Analyst, 40, 123-159. doi: 10.1007/s40614-017-0093-x If you're interested in ordering CEs for listening to this episode, click here to go to the store page. You'll need to enter your name, BCBA #, and the two episode secret code words to complete the purchase. Email us at abainsidetrack@gmail.com for further assistance.

As a show about reading research to improve practice, you’d think we’d spent more time reviewing research on WHY practitioners should review research regularly. Well, just in case we haven’t made it clear in the past five years, we’re exploring both sides of the research/practitioner coin in these next two episodes. This week: how can practitioners think of themselves as researchers in their work and improve their evidence-based practices in the process. This episode is available for 1.0 LEARNING CEU. Articles discussed this episode: Kazdin, A.E. (2008). Evidence-based treatment and practice: New opportunities to bridge clinical research and practice, enhance the knowledge base, and improve patient care. American Psychologist, 63, 146-159.  doi: 10.1037/0003-066X.63.3.146 Slocum, T.A., Detrich, R., Wilczynski, S.M., Spencer, T.D., Lewis, T., & Wolfe, K.  (2014).  The evicence-based practice of applied behavior analysis.  The Behavior Analyst, 37, 41-56.  doi: 10.1007/s40614-014-0005-2 Valentino, A.L. & Juanico, J.F.  (2020).  Overcoming barriers to applied research: A guide for practitioners.  Behavior Analysis in Practice, 13, 894-904.  doi: 10.1007/s40617-020-00479-y Green, G.  Training practitioners to evaluate evidence about interventions.  European Journal of Behavior Analysis, 11, 223-228.  doi: 10.1080/15021149.2010.11434346 If you're interested in ordering CEs for listening to this episode, click here to go to the store page. You'll need to enter your name, BCBA #, and the two episode secret code words to complete the purchase. Email us at abainsidetrack@gmail.com for further assistance.

A quick monthly update from our cabin in the mountains while we enjoy some summer R+R. We were inspired by the crisp, mountain air and solitude to do some reflection. What does it mean to be a practitioner? A researcher? And how can we use recent discussions of police brutality to check our own treatment of clients? We even came upon a hiking Dr. Cody Morris to join us. So, find your own zen place of reflection for some research-discussion goodness. Articles for July 2021 From Research to Practice Kazdin, A.E. (2008). Evidence-based treatment and practice: New opportunities to bridge clinical research and practice, enhance the knowledge base, and improve patient care. American Psychologist, 63, 146-159. doi: 10.1037/0003-066X.63.3.146 Slocum, T.A., Detrich, R., Wilczynski, S.M., Spencer, T.D., Lewis, T., & Wolfe, K. (2014). The evicence-based practice of applied behavior analysis. The Behavior Analyst, 37, 41-56. doi: 10.1007/s40614-014-0005-2 Valentino, A.L. & Juanico, J.F. (2020). Overcoming barriers to applied research: A guide for practitioners. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 13, 894-904. doi: 10.1007/s40617-020-00479-y Green, G. Training practitioners to evaluate evidence about interventions. European Journal of Behavior Analysis, 11, 223-228. doi: 10.1080/15021149.2010.11434346 From Practice to Research Baer, D.M. (1977). “Perhaps it would be better not to know everything.” Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 10, 167-172. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1977.10-167 Odom, S.L., Brantlinger, E., Gersten, R., Horner, R.H., Thompson, B., & Harris, K.R. (2005). Research in special education: Scientific methods and evidence-based practices. Exceptional Children, 71, 137-148. doi: 10.1177/001440290507100201 Fawcett, S.B. Some values guiding community research and action. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 24, 621-636. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1991.24-621 Fassinger, R. & Morrow, S.L. (2013). Toward best practices in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method research: A social justice perspective. Journal for Social Action in Counseling and Psychology, 5, 69-83. doi: 10.33043/JSACP.5.2.69-83 Critchfield, T.S. & Reed, D.D. (2017). The fuzzy concept of applied behavior analysis research. The Behavior Analyst, 40, 123-159. doi: 10.1007/s40614-017-0093-x Police Brutality and Client Mistreatment w/ Dr. Cody Morris Morris, C. & Hollins, N.A. (2021). On the uncanny similarities between police brutality and client mistreatment. Behavior Analysis in Practice. doi: 10.1007/s40617-021-00576-6

Dr. Erin Michaud, a BCBA and SLP, shares her unique perspective as the assistant director of the speech and language department at the New England Center for Children. She discusses the importance of collaboration between speech-language pathologists and behavior analysts, emphasizing how their combined skills can enhance outcomes for students with autism. Michaud also reflects on her journey from speech pathology to behavior analysis and highlights effective communication strategies that can break down barriers in interdisciplinary teams, offering valuable insights for professionals in both fields.

With summer just around the corner, many of us will have ample time to enjoy our leisure pursuits. But not everyone develops robust and entertaining hobby-finding behavior spontaneously. This week we're reviewing articles on supporting participation of autistic students and students with developmental disabilities in fun activities like computers, photography, and video game playing. Then Rob discusses how much he loves Guitar Hero 2 for an hour. A good time will be had be all!   This episode is worth 1.0 LEARNING CEU   Articles discussed this episode: Jerome, J., Frantino, E.P., & Sturmey, P. (2007). The effects of errorless learning and backward chaining on the acquisition of internet skills in adults with developmental disabilities. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 40, 185-189. doi: 10.1901/jaba.2007.41-06   Blum-Dimaya, A., Reeve, S.A., Reeve, K.F., & Hoch, H. (2010). Teaching children with autism to play a video game using activity schedules and game-embedded simultaneous video modeling. Education and Treatment of Children, 33, 351-370. doi: 10.1177/1088357615583469   Edrisinha, C., O’Reilly, M.F., Choi, H.Y., Sigafoos, J., & Lancioni, G.E. (2011). “Say cheese”: Teaching photography skills to adults with developmental disabilities. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 32, 636-642. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2010.12.006   Tullis, C.A. & Seaman-Tullis, R.L. (2019). Incorporating preference assessment into transition planning for people with autism spectrum disorder. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 12, 727-733. doi: 10.1007/s40617-019-00353-6   If you're interested in ordering CEs for listening to this episode, click here to go to the store page. You'll need to enter your name, BCBA #, and the two episode secret code words to complete the purchase. Email us at abainsidetrack@gmail.com for further assistance.

Gather round, employees! I’ve bought you all something so special.  You’ll want to work twice as hard once you see what it is.  Drumroll please.  It’s tickets to the opera! What’s that? You don’t care for hours of singing in German? You can’t easily get a babysitter for a four-hour trip to the big city much less pay for parking? Well, guess I should have listened to that episode of ABA Inside Track where research on alternatives for managers making guesses as to what will function as a reinforcer for employees was discussed.  Maybe they’d have allowed us to avoid this embarrassing and disheartening exchange.  So, you cool if I scalp those tickets?   This episode is available for 1.0 SUPERVISION CEU.   Articles discussed this episode:  Cohen-Almeida, D., Graff, R.B., & Ahearn, W.H. (2000). A comparison of verbal and tangible stimulus preference assessments. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 33, 329-334. doi: 10.1901/jaba.2000.33-329   Wilder, D.A., Wilson, P., Ellsworth, C., & Heering, P.W. (2003). A comparison of verbal and tangible stimulus preference assessment methods in adults with schizophrenia. Behavioral Interventions, 18, 191-198. doi: 10.1002/bin.136   Wilder, D.A., Rost, K., & McMahon, M. (2007). The accuracy of managerial prediction of employee preference: A brief report. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 27, 1-14. doi: 10.1300/J075v27n02_01   Waldvogel, J.M. & Dixon, M.R. (2008). Exploring the utility of preference assessments in organizational behavior management. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 28, 76-87. doi: 10.1080/01608060802006831    Slowiak, J.M. (2014). “How may I help you?” Improving telephone customer service in a medical clinic setting. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 34, 39-51. doi: 10.1080/01608061.2013.873382   If you're interested in ordering CEs for listening to this episode, click here to go to the store page. You'll need to enter your name, BCBA #, and the two episode secret code words to complete the purchase. Email us at abainsidetrack@gmail.com for further assistance.

We’d all love to ensure our teaching occurs at maximal efficiency, but it can be so hard to take advantage of emergent relations. What if Dr. Brian Blair and Dr. Lesley Shawler had some simple tech tweaks that you could explore to set up your own emergent relations training systems to make teaching efficient without the need for expensive software. Well, we hope you’d say, “I’d definitely listen to a podcast episode all about it,” and here it is! This episode is available for 1.0 LEARNING CEU. Articles discussed this episode: Blair, B.J. & Shawler, L.A. (2020). Developing and implementing emergent responding training systems with available and low-cost computer-based learning tools: Some best practices and a tutorial. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 12, 509-520. doi: 10.1007/s40617-019-00405-x Blair, B.J., Shawler, L.A,, Albright, L.K., & Ferman, DM. (2021). An evaluation of the emergence of untrained academic and applied skills after instruction with video vignettes. The Analysis of Verbal Behavior. doi: 10.1007/s40616-020-00140-3 Blair, B.J., Tarbox, J., Albright, L., MacDonald, J.M., Shawler, L.A., Russo, S.R., & Dorsey, M.F. (2019). Using equivalence-based instruction to teach the visual analysis of graphs. Behavioral Interventions, 34, 405-418. doi: 10.1002/bin.1669 Brodsky, J. & Fienup, D.M. (2018). Sidman goes to college: A meta-analysis of equivalence-based instruction in higher education. Perspectives in Behavioral Science, 41, 95-119. doi: 10.1007/s40614-018-0150-0 If you're interested in ordering CEs for listening to this episode, click here to go to the store page. You'll need to enter your name, BCBA #, and the two episode secret code words to complete the purchase. Email us at abainsidetrack@gmail.com for further assistance.