Abstract
Several barriers may inhibit the growth of behavior analysis as a more integrated and collaborative field. Two such barriers are siloed environments that reinforce a basic-applied distinction, and a lack of translational research pathways. We describe the perils of silos, and elaborate on potential solutions to increase reciprocal relations among subfields in behavior analysis. We promote a five-tiered system to classify research in behavior analysis, and discuss literature on cultivating effective intra and cross-disciplinary collaborations, including using the framework of metacontingencies to understand collaborations. We also propose quantitative and qualitative measures to examine whether the potential solutions increase intra and interdisciplinary interactions. These measures include bibliometric (e.g., citations across fields), sociometric (e.g., social network analysis), and narrative analysis. We apply some of these measures to publications from 2011–2022 from the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior and Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, and argue that behavior analysis overall may benefit from a more collaborative approach.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data Availability
All data generated and analyzed during this study are included in this published article in a supplementary information file.
References
Alligood, C. A., Daneault, A. J., Carlson, R. C., Dillenbeck, T., Wheaton, C. J., & Savage, A. (2011). Development of husbandry practices for the captive breeding of key largo woodrats (Neotoma floridana smalli). ZooBiology, 30, 318–327. https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.20350
Alligood, C., Edwards, T., & Mahoney, A. (2022). Strengthening the research–practice loop in applied animal behavior: Introduction to the special issue. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 118, 181–185. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.791
Alligood, C., Skurski, M., & Miller, A. (2018). Building a science-based behavioral husbandry program (Introduction to the Science of Behavioral Husbandry series). Animal Keepers’ Forum, 45(4), 107–110.
Amabile, T. M., Patterson, C., Mueller, J., Wojcik, T., Odomirok, P. W., Marsh, M., & Kramer, S. J. (2001). Academic-practitioner collaboration in management research: A case of cross-profession collaboration. Academy of Management Journal, 44, 418–431. https://doi.org/10.5465/3069464
Animal Behavior Society (n.d.). ABS Latin American affairs committee. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from. https://www.animalbehaviorsociety.org/web/committees-la-mentoring-english.php
Araiba, S. (2019). Current diversification of behaviorism. Perspectives on Behavior Science, 43(1), 157–175. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40614-019-00207-0
Association for Behavior Analysis International (n.d). Special interest groups. Retrieve May 2, 2023, from https://www.abainternational.org/constituents/special-interests.aspx
Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (n.d.). CBS and behavior analysis. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from https://contextualscience.org/cbs_and_behavior_analysis
Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2017). BCBA/BCaBA course requirements based on the BCBA task list (5th ed.). Retrieved May 9, 2023 from https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/170113-BCBA-BCaBA-coursework-requirements-5th-ed-a.pdf
Beyerlein, M., Nemiro, J., & Beyerlein, S. (2008). A framework for working across boundaries. In J. Nemiro, M. M. Beyerlein, L. Bradley, & S. Beyerlein (Eds.), The Handbook of high performance virtual teams: A toolkit for collaborating across boundaries (pp. 31–58). Jossey-Bass.
Bigelow, G. E., & Silverman, K. (1999). Theoretical and empirical foundations of contingency management treatments for drug abuse. In S. T. Higgins & K. Silverman (Eds.), Motivating behavior change among illicit-drug abusers: Research on contingency management interventions (pp. 15–31). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/10321-001
Bock, S. J., Michalak, N., & Brownlee, S. (2011). Collaboration and consultation: The first steps. In C. G. Simpson & J. P. Bakken (Eds.), Collaboration: A multidisciplinary approach to educating students with disabilities (pp. 3–15). Prufrock Press.
Boivin, N., Ruane, J., Quigley, S. P., Harper, J., & Weiss, M. J. (2021). Interdisciplinary collaboration training: an example of a preservice training series. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 14, 1223–1236. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-021-00561-z
Bowman, K. S., Suarez, V. D., & Weiss, M. J. (2021). Standards for interprofessional collaboration in the treatment of individuals with autism. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 14(4), 1191–1208. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-021-00560-0
Brodhead, M. T. (2015). Maintaining professional relationships in an interdisciplinary setting: strategies for navigating nonbehavioral treatment recommendations for individuals with autism. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 8(1), 70–78. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-015-0042-7
Burney, V., Arnold-Saritepe, A., & McCann, C. M. (2023). Rethinking the place of qualitative methods in behavior analysis. Perspectives on Behavior Science, 46, 185–200. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40614-022-00362-x
Bush, V. (1945). Science: The endless frontier. U. S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved October 20, 2022, from https://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/nsf50/vbush1945.htm
Butler, D. (2008). Crossing the valley of death. Nature, 453, 840–842. https://doi.org/10.1038/453840a
Choi, B. C., & Pak, A. W. (2006). Multidisciplinarity, interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity in health research, services, education and policy: 1. Definitions, objectives, and evidence of effectiveness. Clinical & Investigative Medicine/Medecine Clinique et Experimentale, 29(6), 351–364.
Cihon, T. M., Borba, A., Benvenuti, M., & Sandaker, I. (2021). Research and training in culturo-behavior science. Behavior & Social Issues, 30, 237–275. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42822-021-00076-w
Couto, K. C., & Sandaker, I. (2016). Natural, behavioral and cultural selection-analysis: An integrative approach. Behavioral & Social Issues, 25, 54–60. https://doi.org/10.5210/bsi.v25i0.6891
Cox, A. D., Virués-Ortega, J., Julio, F., & Martin, T. L. (2017). Establishing motion control in children with autism and intellectual disability: Applications for anatomical and functional MRI. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 50, 8–26. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.351
Cummings, J. N. (2008). Leading groups from a distance: How to mitigate consequences of geographic dispersion. In S. P. Weisband (Ed.), Leadership at a distance: Research in technologically-supported work (pp. 33–50). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Cummings, J. N., & Kiesler, S. (2008). Who collaborates successfully? Prior experience reduces collaboration barriers in distributed interdisciplinary research. In Proceedings of the 2008 ACM conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work (pp. 437–446).
Dallery, J., Raiff, B. R., Kim, S. J., Marsch, L. A., Stitzer, M., & Grabinski, M. J. (2017). Nationwide access to an internet-based contingency management intervention to promote smoking cessation: A randomized controlled trial. Addiction, 112(5), 875–883. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.13715
Daniels, A. C. (2000). Bringing out the best of people: How to apply the astonishing power of positive reinforcement (new & updated ed.). McGraw-Hill.
Dounavi, K. (2015). Dr. Javier Virués-Ortega, BCBA-D: The impact of functional assessments on the field. Interview. Operants, Q3, 18–19 https://www.bfskinner.org/behavioral-science/operants/
Elcoro, M. (2017). Interactions between basic and applied behavior analysis [Invited Presentation]. Alabama Association for Behavior Analysis, 26th Annual Convention. Birmingham, AL.
Elliott, A. J., Morgan, K., Fuqua, R. W., Ehrhardt, K., & Poling, A. (2005). Self- and cross-citations in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior: 1993–2003. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 38(4), 559–563. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2005.133-04
Eubanks, J. L., & Lloyd, K. E. (1993). Relating behavior analysis to the organizational culture concept and perspective. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 12(2), 27–44. https://doi.org/10.1300/J075v12n02_02
Frederick, J. K., Rogers, V. R., & Raabe, G. R. (2021). Commitment, collaboration, and problem resolution to promote and sustain access to multifaceted applied behavior-analytic services utilizing telepractice. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 15(1), 347–369. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-020-00550-8
Gasiewski, K., Weiss, M. J., Leaf, J. B., & Labowitz, J. (2021). Collaboration between behavior analysts and occupational therapists in autism service provision: Bridging the gap. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 14(4), 1209–1222. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-021-00619-y
Gipson, C. D., Soto, P. L., Calipari, E. S., Platt, D. M., Salamone, J. D., & Bevins, R. A. (2022). Using complex behavior to understand brain mechanisms in health and disease. Journal of the Experimental Analysis Behavior, 117, 275–278. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.762
Glenn, S. S., Malott, M. E., Andery, M. A. P. A., Benvenuti, M., Houmanfar, R. A., Sandaker, I., Todorov, J. C., Tourinho, E. Z., & Vasconcelos, L. A. (2016). Toward consistent terminology in a behaviorist approach to cultural analysis. Behavior & Social Issues, 25, 11–27. https://doi.org/10.5210/bsi.v25i0.6634
Hake, D. F. (1982). The basic-applied continuum and the possible evolution of human operant social and verbal research. The Behavior Analyst, 5, 21–28. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03393137
Hantula, D. A. (2019). Editorial: Behavior science for the public welfare. Perspectives on Behavior Science, 42, 365–374. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40614-019-00222-1
Hantula, D. A. (2022). The code is irrelevant: Organizational behavior management is not applied behavior analysis. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management. https://doi.org/10.1080/01608061.2022.2029796
Hineline, P. N. (2018). Narrative: Why it’s important, and how it works. Perspectives on Behavior Science, 41(2), 471–501. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40614-018-0137-x
Hineline, P. N. (2022). Teaching behavior analysis through its history: Narrative and stories. Perspectives on Behavior Science, 45(4), 809–818. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40614-022-00355-w
Holtyn, A. F., Knealing, T. W., Jarvis, B. P., Subramaniam, S., & Silverman, K. (2017). Monitoring cocaine use and abstinence among cocaine users for contingency management interventions. The Psychological Record, 67(2), 253–259. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40732-017-0236-1
Jarmolowicz, D. P. (2018). EAB is fine, thanks for asking. Behavior Analysis: Research & Practice, 18(2), 169–173. https://doi.org/10.1037/bar0000116
Kalafut, K. L., & Freestone, D. M. (2022). Balancing the scale. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 118(2), 208–214. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.792
Kelly, A., & Tincani, M. (2013). Collaborative training and practice among applied behavior analysts who support individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Education & Training in Autism & Developmental Disabilities, 48(1), 120–131.
Kolm, A., de Nooijer, J., Vanherle, K., Werkman, A., Wewerka-Kreimel, D., Rachman-Elbaum, S., & van Merriënboer, J. J. (2022). International online collaboration competencies in higher education students: A systematic review. Journal of Studies in International Education, 26(2), 183–201.
Krispin, J. (2019). Culturo-behavioral hypercycles and the metacontingency: Incorporating self-organizing dynamics into an expanded model of cultural change. Perspectives on Behavior Science, 42(4), 869–887. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40614-019-00212-3
Kyonka, E. G. E., & Subramaniam, S. (2018). Translating behavior analysis: A spectrum rather than a road map. Perspectives on Behavior Science, 41(2), 591–613. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40614-018-0145-x
LaFrance, D. L., Weiss, M. J., Kazemi, E., Gerenser, J., & Dobres, J. (2019). Multidisciplinary teaming: Enhancing collaboration through increased understanding. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 12(3), 709–726. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-019-00331-y
Lattal, K. A., & Fernandez, E. J. (2022). Grounding applied animal behavior practices in the experimental analysis of behavior. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 118, 186–207. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.789
Mace, F. C. (1994). Basic research needed for stimulating the development of behavioral technologies. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 61(3), 529–550. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.1994.61-529
Mace, F. C., & Critchfield, T. S. (2010). Translational research in behavior analysis: Historical traditions and imperative for the future. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 93(3), 293–312. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.2010.93-293
Mace, F. C., & Wacker, D. P. (1994). Toward greater integration of basic and applied behavior research: An introduction. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 27(4), 569–574. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1994.27-569
Maguire, D. R., & France, C. P. (2023). Behavioral pharmacology of methocinnamox: A potential new treatment for opioid overdose and opioid use disorder. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 119(2), 392–406. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.831
Mahoney, A., Li, A., Curiel, H., Plattner, C., & Poling, A. (2019). Self- and cross-citations in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior: 2004–2018. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 52, 1130–1139. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.585
Malagodi, E. F. (1986). On radicalizing behaviorism: A call for cultural analysis. The Behavior Analyst, 9(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03391925
Marr, M. J. (2009). The natural selection: Behavior analysis as a natural science. European Journal of Behavior Analysis, 10, 103–118. https://doi.org/10.1080/15021149.2009.11434313
Marr, M. J. (2017). The future of behavior analysis: Foxes and hedgehogs revisited. The Behavior Analyst, 40(1), 197–207. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40614-017-0107-8
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS). (2023). https://ncats.nih.gov/
McIlvane, W. J. (2009). Translational behavior analysis: From laboratory science in stimulus control to interventions with persons with neurodevelopmental disabilities. The Behavior Analyst, 32(2), 273–280. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03392189
Poling, A. (2010). Looking to the future: Will behavior analysis survive and prosper? The Behavior Analyst, 33(1), 7–17. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03392200
Poling, A., & Edwards, T. L. (2011). Translational research: It’s not 1960s behavior analysis. The Behavior Analyst, 34(1), 23–26. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03392229
Poling, A., Parker, M., Grossett, D., Hall-Johnson, E., & Holbrook, M. (1981). The schism between basic and applied behavior analysis: Is it real and who cares? The Behavior Analyst, 4(2), 93–102. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03391858
Powell, A., Piccoli, G., & Ives, B. (2004). Virtual teams: A review of current literature and directions for future research. The DATA BASE for Advances in Information Systems, 35(1), 6–36.
Psychological Science Accelerator. (n.d.). A distributed laboratory network. https://psysciacc.org/
Rider, D. P. (1991). The speciation of behavior analysis. The Behavior Analyst, 14(2), 171–181. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03392567
Rohrer, J. L., Marshall, K. B., Suzio, C., & Weiss, M. J. (2021). Soft skills: The case for compassionate approaches or how behavior analysis keeps finding its heart. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 14(4), 1135–1143. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-021-00563-x
Runyon, N. (2022). Why “power skills” is the new term for soft skills in the hybrid work world. Thomson Reuters. Retrieved February 18, 2022. https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en-us/posts/legal/power-skillsrebranding/#:~:text=Udemy%20Business%20coined%20the%20term
Sargent, L. D., & Waters, L. E. (2004). Careers and academic research collaborations: An inductive process framework for understanding successful collaborations. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 64(2), 308–319. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2002.11.001
Shepley, C., & Grisham-Brown, J. (2018). Applied behavior analysis in early childhood education: An overview of policies, research, blended practices, and the curriculum framework. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 12(1), 235–246. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-018-0236-x
Sidman, M. (1994). Equivalence relations and behavior: A research story. Authors Cooperative.
Sidman, M. (2007). The analysis of behavior: What's in it for us? Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 87, 309–316. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.2007.82-06
Sidman, M. (2011). Can an understanding of basic research facilitate the effectiveness of practitioners? Reflections and personal perspectives. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 44(4), 973–991. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2011.44-973
Skinner, B. F. (1981). Selection by consequences. Science, 213, 501–504. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.7244649
Slim, L., & Reuter-Yuill, L. M. (2021). A Behavior-analytic perspective on interprofessional collaboration. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 14(4), 1238–1248. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-021-00602-7
Stokes, D. E. (1997). Pasteur’s quadrant: Basic science and technological innovation. Brookings.
Vinagre, M. (2017). Developing teachers’ telecollaborative competences in online experiential learning. Special Issue on Telecollaboration, 64, 34–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2016.12.002
Virués-Ortega, J., Hurtado-Parrado, C., Cox, A. D., & Pear, J. J. (2014). Analysis of the interaction between experimental and applied behavior analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 47(2), 380–403. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.124
Wagner, C. S., Roessner, J. D., Bobb, K., Klein, J. T., Boyack, K. W., Keyton, J., Rafols, I., & Börner, K. (2011). Approaches to understanding and measuring interdisciplinary scientific research (IDR): A review of the literature. Journal of Informetrics, 5(1), 14–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joi.2010.06.004
Walter, K. M., & Dickson, C. A. (2023). Response effort and resurgence. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 119(2), 373–391. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.835
Wilder, D. A., Austin, J., & Casella, S. (2009). Applying behavior analysis in organizations: Organizational behavior management. Psychological Services, 6(3), 202–211.
Wood, C., Lugo, V. A., Garcia-Salas, M., & McCormack, W. T. (2023). A team science training approach to enhance cross-disciplinary collaboration in communication science and disorders programs. Teaching & Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders, 7(2), 8 https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/tlcsd/vol7/iss2/8
Woolf, S. H. (2008). The meaning of translational research and why it matters. Journal of the American Medical Association, 299, 211–213. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2007.26
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflicts of Interest
The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.
Additional information
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Supplementary Information
ESM 1
(XLS 25 kb)
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Elcoro, M., Diller, J.W. & Correa, J.C. Promoting Reciprocal Relations across Subfields of Behavior Analysis via Collaborations. Perspect Behav Sci 46, 431–446 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40614-023-00386-x
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40614-023-00386-x