Essential Reading
The UK Society for Behaviour Analysis (UK-SBA) aims to contribute to public wellbeing by promoting the safe, competent, and ethical practice of behaviour analysis. The following document provides an overview of the development of behaviour analysis globally and highlights the dangers of unregulated practice:
UK Society for Behaviour Analysis (2019). Behaviour Analysis: From Science to Profession
Earlier in this lesson, we mentioned a study evaluating the rollout of Functional Assessments in US schools. As you read, consider why short training initiatives may fail to equip education staff to use function-based, non-aversive interventions.
Optional Reading
This article explores the application of behaviour analysis in space exploration, covering social contingencies, motivation, and environmental design for space shuttle missions. It shows the wide scope of ABA beyond its typical applications:
Brady, J. V. (2007). Behavior analysis in the space age. The Behavior Analyst Today, 8(4), 398.
Essential Watching
We discussed the Food Dudes initiative earlier. Watch this video to see how this ABA-based intervention works in practice:
Optional Watching
Explore various applications of ABA through these videos:
Conversation Exercise
Click the chat icon in the bottom right of your screen to start the conversation exercise with FRED, our AI chatbot. Alternatively, click here to open FRED directly.
Example Reflection
Before this lesson, I thought ABA was mostly about autism or developmental disabilities, but now I see how widely it can be applied. The MammaCare program stood out — I wouldn’t have thought behavior analysis could be used in medical training! The Food Dudes program also made me realize that behavior change isn’t just about teaching people why something is important but shaping behavior through exposure and reinforcement.
I also see why some ABA interventions can be delivered by parents or teachers, while others like Functional Behavior Assessments need expert supervision. I recall a school trying an FBA without proper training — their support plan was vague and focused on punishment, much like the Van Acker article described. This helped me understand when an intervention is truly ABA and when it’s just ABA-flavored language without the necessary training behind it. It reinforced why RBTs must know their limits and work under supervision when dealing with complex cases.
Reflection Exercise
After completing the readings and viewings, write a reflection using the prompts below. Your reflection should:
- Be 100–500 words
- Be written in your preferred language
- Be in your own words — no copy-pasting from chatbots, the site, or other sources
Read our guide on how to complete the Reflection Exercises.
You’ll receive a copy of your response by email for your records and exam preparation.
Click to view Reflection Prompts
- Summarize Key Concepts: What are the main concepts or techniques you learned? Definitions? Examples?
- Define in Your Own Words: How would you explain these concepts to a friend?
- Importance and Connections: Why are these ideas important in ABA? Any links to prior content?
- Practical Applications: Where can these concepts be useful? Are there any limitations?
- Application to Your Practice: How will you apply this knowledge in your work?
- Interesting Insights: What insights or surprises did you encounter?
When ready, submit your reflection below:
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