Social Justice is the Spirit and Aim of an Applied Science of Human Behavior: Moving from Colonial to Participatory Research Practices

Abstract

It is time for a paradigm shift in the science of applied behavior analysis. Our current approach to applied research perpetuates power imbalances. We posit that the purpose of applied behavior analysis is to enable and expand human rights and to eliminate the legacies of colonial, oppressive social structures. We report the findings from our examination of the content of our flagship applied research journal. We reviewed 50 years of applied experiments from the standpoint of respect, beneficence, justice, and the participation of individuals and communities. Although there is some promise and movement toward inclusion, our findings indicate that we have not prioritized full participation across all segments of society, especially persons and communities that are marginalized. Social justice rests on the belief that human life is to be universally cherished and valued. In this article, we suggest that policies, strategies, and research practices within our field be interwoven with a commitment to social justice, including racial justice, for all. We offer recommendations to neutralize and diffuse power imbalances and to work toward a shift from colonial to participatory practices in the methods and aims of our applied science.

A scoping review of the caregiver training literature for individuals with autism spectrum disorder

“…Although ensuring the inclusion of collaborative social validity data collection does not guarantee equity, it does take a step toward a more community-based participatory research (CBPR) model. Pritchett et al (2022) encouraged behavior analysts to move the field in the direction of CBPR, which includes collaborative relationships, socially valid goals, sustainable maintenance of effects, and advocacy and community change.…”

Ma ka hana ka ʻike: Implementing Culturally Responsive Educational Practices

“…Culturally responsive approaches on their own, however, are not enough. These approaches should also be examined within historical and ongoing systemic injustice (Kaomea, 2000 ), with cultural humility (Levy et al, 2022 ), and in collaboration and conversation with historically excluded communities (Pritchett et al, 2022 ). Doing so helps to ensure that these approaches are inclusive, participatory, and ultimately serve the communities to which the participants belong.…”

“…As Miller et al ( 2019 ) emphasize, research and researchers must be invested in the improved well-being, goals, and agency of the community involved in the study. Pritchett et al ( 2022 ) emphasize this idea, and note that “the evaluation of the incongruences between the stated mission of the science of applied behavior analysis and applied behavior-analytic research practices is critical for systems change” (p. 1089).…”

“…Behavioral change interventions (e.g., incentives, positive reinforcement, feedback, self-monitoring) have been widely researched in behavior analysis (cf. Alavosius et al, 2022 ; Gelino et al, 2021 ; Schneider & Sanguinetti, 2021 ), yet few studies have employed anticolonial and culturally responsive frameworks or methods (Levy et al, 2022 ; Miller et al, 2019 ; Pritchett et al, 2022 ). Pritchett et al ( 2022 ) note the need for recommendations to “neutralize and diffuse power imbalances and to work toward a shift from colonial to participatory practices in the methods and aims of…applied science” (p. 1074).…”

An Ecological Approach to Evaluating Collaborative Practice in NSF Sponsored Partnership Projects: The SPARC Model

“…DEI in the academy do not happen naturally. Ensuring that all partners are both represented and participating is fundamental for a successful collaborative partnership seeking to broaden diversity in the academy ( Pritchett et al, 2021 ). Stakeholders may require professional development or expert facilitation to plan and implement effective collaborative practice across diverse stakeholders.…”