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Can There Be Compassion without Assent? A Nonlinear Constructional Approach

  • SI: Compassion in Applied Behavior Analysis
  • Published:
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Abstract

The topics of compassion and assent are currently of high relevance in and out of applied behavior analysis. A contingency analysis of both terms—compassion and assent—can help elucidate them in a way that yields pragmatic incorporation into practice. Resulting procedures can benefit behavior analysis professionals working with both, humans and animals. This article utilizes a contingency analytic definition of compassion and assent, and illustrates how such definitions can guide the creation of constructional programs. Case examples are provided that detail the use of these definitions, the creation of a constructional programs guided by them, and the influence of a nonlinear contingency analysis.

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Notes

  1. Based on Goldiamond (1976), de Fernandes and Dittrich (2018) defined critical consequence as “. . . those that when made contingent to any particular behavior generally have a powerful control over it, showing high reinforcement value when added (e.g., food for the starving) or when removed (e.g., electric shock of high intensity). In other words, they are consequences that, given certain conditions or operations, are preferred in all choice situations” (pp. 12–13). Stated differently, given a set of consequences contingent upon behavior, the consequence that governs the contingency is the critical consequence—that is, the consequence one will work for.

  2. For other case examples utilizing a constructional nonlinear approach with additional populations (e.g., clinical cases, gerontology), see Layng et al. (2022).

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Acknowledgments

The authors are indebted to Dr. T. V. Joe Layng for his mentoring, insight, and feedback throughout this process. Kyle Hetzel would like to acknowledge the members of the teams he was a part of and individuals that made the work possible: Amy Phelps, Elise Dubuisson, Jennifer Martinez, Ashley Griffin-Stence, Alyxandra Sidell, and Taylor Rymal.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Applied Behavioral Science, Endicott College, Beverly, MA, USA

    Awab Abdel-Jalil, Anna M. Linnehan & Sheila Klick

  2. Eastern Florida Autism Center, Palm Bay, FL, USA

    Awab Abdel-Jalil & Richele Yeich

  3. Great Leaps Academy, Palm Bay, FL, USA

    Awab Abdel-Jalil & Richele Yeich

  4. University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL, USA

    Richele Yeich

  5. Oakland Zoo, Oakland, CA, USA

    Kyle Hetzel

  6. AIMS Instruction, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Jonathan Amey

  7. Melmark, Berwyn, PA, USA

    Sheila Klick

Authors
  1. Awab Abdel-Jalil
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  2. Anna M. Linnehan
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  3. Richele Yeich
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  4. Kyle Hetzel
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  5. Jonathan Amey
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Correspondence to Awab Abdel-Jalil.

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Ethical Approval and Assent

Cases reported here were conducted as part of treatment for the individuals involved. Consent to treat was provided in all cases. Assent was monitored and honored throughout.

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Abdel-Jalil, A., Linnehan, A.M., Yeich, R. et al. Can There Be Compassion without Assent? A Nonlinear Constructional Approach. Behav Analysis Practice (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-023-00850-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-023-00850-9

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