Roots of ABA

The field of ABA as a science has evolved over time—just as any science would. The first step in the development of ABA was experimental analysis of behavior. In this case, behavior was observed in tightly controlled experiments, typically in a laboratory setting. When we say “controlled settings,” we mean that the experimenter was able to decide everything that went on in the study. There was no background noise unless the experimenter wanted it; there were no interruptions to the task the student was doing unless that was of interest. However, as we all know, those perfect laboratory settings don’t always translate into the real world. How many times would you be in a classroom with no background noise (think other students talking, the intercom coming on) or interruptions (the occupational therapist coming in to get the student unexpectedly, other children asking questions)? If only it were that easy!

ABA centers on the practical, real-world application of using behavioral principles to produce changes in behaviors that are affecting people. One of its most useful aspects is that it is carried out in natural settings and has outcomes (dependent variables) that have practical significance—someone’s life is better as a result of the intervention. This is why ABA is so useful in the education field. The theory is about making changes in behavior in the real world where we need the changes to occur.

One pioneer researcher in the field of behaviorism is B.F. Skinner. Skinner was a psychologist who thought that Pavlov’s stimulus response (SR) theory did not go far enough. He began with the experimental analysis of behavior in the laboratory and then extended his research to real-world settings through the theory of ABA. Some believe that Skinner and ABA only centers on observable events (we have to see it). The ability to observe a behavior is indeed an important part of ABA, but Skinner also acknowledged that there are events going on “inside the skin” that one cannot see but most likely do influence behavior. The idea that private events are part of behaviorism is called “radical behaviorism.” It is called that because it was a “radical” departure of thought at the time and was an attempt to bring together internal and external events that affect behavior. Below, you’ll find some videos that discuss radical behaviorism. Remember that Skinner’s theories related to behavior were really a departure from the psychology field at the time (remember the id, ego, and super ego?).