I’ve heard that applied behavior analysts use drugs, psychosurgery, and electro-convulsive shock therapy to change behavior. Is this the case?
Not true. Behavior analysts do NOT use drugs, psychosurgery, or shock therapy to treat behavior problems. These procedures generally are provided by licensed physicians working in psychiatric hospitals. Training in applied behavior analysis does not include experience in these procedures, and they play no part in applied behavior analysis practice. Some applied behavior analysts work in hospital settings and may work with patients who have received these treatments from a physician, but applied behavior analysts themselves do not participate in these procedures.
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