Newsletter
Volume 30 | 2007 | Number 2
Development & Behavior Analysis
By Dr. Jack Gewirtz and Dr. Martha Pelaez
In a developmental context, the Developmental Behavior-Analysis SIG focuses upon behavior-analytic functional relations, where those relations are examined across at least two points or segments in a developmental sequence. The SIG’s emphases are upon the functional analyses of environmental-unit/behavior-unit interactions in basic-science and applied contexts, in mammalian species and across any sequences or combinations of developmental points (and, in initial research phases, at single developmental points). Species-specific considerations are taken into account in relation to the functional relationships.
Use of demographic independent variables (e.g., age, culture group, gender) is not encouraged, except when they could facilitate uncovering clearly the underlying behavioral processes.
Occasionally, the environment-behavior interactions in a developmental frame are grouped under a superordinate concept (e.g., “attachment,” “learned helplessness,” “generalized imitation,” “observational learning”), to allow the behavior-analytic description/explanation to be evaluated against an alternative. Additionally, the SIG examines how different theoretical positions, within and without behavior analysis, approach identical questions. The historical bases of behaviorism, evolution, and of behavior analysis as a scientific or applied field, are also of concern.
In this frame, the Developmental SIG routinely produces a full program for each ABA annual meeting, in which symposia, papers, invited addresses, tutorials, and panel discussions covering the range of interests noted above are represented. At the San Diego conference, we added to our program applied behavior analysis (specifically autism) symposia in a developmental frame. The SIG produces also a journal titled Behavioral Development that publishes refereed articles on theory and research under the conception of developmental behavior analysis outlined above. With the current issue that is in press, the journal is moving from print to internet publication. Finally, the SIG devises behavioral symposia that are submitted to mainstream developmental conferences (e.g., ISIS, SRCD, Touch Research Institute, International Congress on Behavior Studies), to provide examples of behavior-analytic approaches and solutions to diverse developmental issues.
In this frame, the Developmental Behavior Analysis SIG welcomes members from those working in basic and/or applied behavior analysis. Dues are $15 per year and include a subscription to the SIG journal Behavioral Development. Please contact Dr. Martha Pelaez, College of Education, FIU, Miami, FL, 33199, USA. Members are encouraged to send articles for publication in Behavioral Development to Martha Pelaez, and papers, symposia, debates, and the like, for inclusion on the SIG program of the annual ABA Conference to Gary Novak, Department of Psychology, California State University, Stanislaus, 801 Monte Vista Ave, Turlock, CA 95382.