Product Description

The long-awaited second edition of the classic textbook, Applied Behavior Analysis, provides a comprehensive, in-depth discussion of the field, providing a complete description of the principles and procedures needed to systematically change socially significant behavior and to understand the reasons for that change. The authors' goal in revising this best-selling text was to introduce students to ABA in as complete, technically accurate, and contemporary manner as possible. As a result, the book's scope, treatment of various principles, procedures, and issues suggest that it is intended for concentrated and serious study. Readers of the new second edition will appreciate the inclusion of: more than 1,400 citations to primary-source literature, including both classic and contemporary studies; a glossary of more than 400 technical terms and concepts; more than 100 graphs displaying original data from peer-reviewed research, with detailed descriptions of the procedures used to collect the data represented; five new chapters written by leading scholars in the field of behavior analysis; and the addition of The Behavior Analyst Certification Board® BCBA® and BCABA® Behavior Analyst Task List, Third Edition.

First published in 1987, Applied Behavior Analysis remains the top-choice primary text for appropriate courses at universities in the United States and abroad with leading programs in behavior analysis. This comprehensive text, best-suited for all upper-level courses in basic principles, applications, and behavioral research methods, helps students, educators, and practitioners appreciate and begin to acquire the conceptual and technical skills necessary to foster socially adaptive behavior in diverse individuals.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #721919 in Books
• Published on: 2007-02-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 800 pages

From the Back Cover

Applied Behavior Analysis provides a complete description of the principles and procedures needed to systematically change socially significant behavior and to understand the reasons for that change. This comprehensive text, appropriate for courses in basic principles, applications, and behavioral research methods, helps students, educators, and practitioners appreciate and begin to acquire the conceptual and technical skills necessary to foster socially adaptive behavior in diverse individuals.

The second edition includes:

• More than 1,000 citations to primary-source literature, including both classic and contemporary studies
• A glossary of more than 250 technical terms and concepts
• More than 100 graphs displaying original data from peer-reviewed research, often accompanied by detailed descriptions of the procedures used to collect the data represented
• Five new chapters written by leading scholars in behavior analysis: Negative Reinforcement (Brian Iwata and Richard Smith), Motivating Operations (Jack Michael), Functional Behavior Assessment (Nancy Neef and Stephanie Peterson), Verbal Behavior (Mark Sundberg), and Ethical Considerations for Applied Behavior Analysts (Jose Martinez-Diaz, Tom Freeman, and Matthew Normand)
• The Behavior Analyst Certification Board® BCBA® and BCABA® Behavior Analyst Task List, Third Edition, specifying the minimum content all behavior analysts should master, is listed on the inside front and back covers. A chart at the beginning of each chapter identifies which items from the Task List are covered in that chapter, and an appendix lists the page numbers where the concepts, principles, or procedures related to each item appear on the Task List.

Customer Reviews

Comprehensive introduction to Applied Behaviour Analysis
This volume was my theoretical introduction to the use of applied behaviour analysis. I found it to be clear and comprehensive. It covers a wide variety of tactics that can be used to modify behaviour, as well as terminology and methods for accurate measurement of behaviour. Each chapter ends with a clear summary of it's contents, aiding consolidation. I made use of a borrowed text while teaching in an ABA context. I am now teaching in a 'non ABA' special needs context and am purchasing my own copy, as this is a text which I believe to be of great value in any teaching context.

Emergence of a true science
Reading this textbook one can appreciate the science in the science of human behavior. Not that the science of human behavior isn't well-served by the philosophy of behaviorism or by ongoing research within the area of the experimental analysis of behavior. But what I saw in this book is just how much progress has been made in applications and how fully the scientific method has been utilized.

"Applied Behavior Analysis" is well organized both as chapters and within chapters, so I was able to absorb the material in small chunks. There is an excellent summary presented as a numbered list (with subject headings) at the end of each chapter.

Coverage seems thorough. As an introductory text, the whole kitchen sink has not been included but at 600 pages, plenty has been included. As fitting for an introduction, there are many fine definitions. In addition to the subject index and name index, a 3-page key term index is provided. Since I find myself getting confused at times by some usages of basic terms such as "contingency", "establishing operation" and "stimulus control", the care in defintion in this textbook was helpful.

Only one section of the book wasn't of immediate interest to me: the use of graphs and baseline design in Part 3 (Evaluation and Analysis of Behavior Change). I simply read the summaries of each chapter for that part, but had no trouble following all the other parts despite skipping over the Part 3 material. Many parts such as Stimulus Control, Self Management, and a succint presentation of Schedules of Reinforcement were stimulating to read. In the midst of the book, I felt the excitement of realizing how well this field is advancing.

Discussion of ethics and a concern for clients' rights are spread in several places in the book, e.g. in the sections on time out and punishment. More, perhaps collected into a chapter of its own, wouldn't have hurt. A "doctrine of least restrictive alternative" is advised, reflecting a concern that treatment not be too intrusive. The task list for the exam for Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BACB) states more forcefully the need to "ensure that the dignity, health, and safety of one's client are fully protected at all times." Many of the techniques used in applied behavior analysis could be used unethically or ignorantly, so it would have seems prudent to advise those learning them early on of these dangers. Necessarily systematic, these techniques could easily become mechanical and inappropriate. There seems sufficient resistance to applied behavioral analysis to warrant extra attention from the start of training to these issues.

A textbook based on Skinner's "Verbal Behavior" and subsequent work by behavior analysts in that area would be welcome. It would be anoter great way to show how deeply behavior analysis can be applied and these authors would do it justice.

Applied behavior analysis
This is the classic technical text for students of Applied Behaviour Analysis. I had the first edition and this, the second edition, is even better. The book is easy to read and has real case studies. An excellent book! As a student of ABA, I would say that it can't be done without this book. Of serious use if you intend to sit the BCABA exam!