Newsletter
Volume 29 | 2006 | Number 1
Division 25 of the American Psychological Association
By Larry Alferink, Ph.D., President
Division 25 was established in 1965 as the Division for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior. Because a number of our members are doing important work in behavior analysis but not necessarily with a focus on basic research, the Executive Committee recommended a change in the bylaws and the name change to the Division for Behavior Analysis was approved by the membership in 2000.
Division 25 represents the primary behavioral voice in the American Psychological Association (APA). The Division is represented on the APA Council of Representatives and speaks on behalf of the interests of our members on a variety of issues. While the Division is the primary behavioral voice on the Council, there are a number of divisions with closely allied interests and with individuals whose work is well known to the ABA membership, even though they may not be members of Division 25. In addition, there are other members who do not currently work in behavior analysis but whose training included a behavioral component and are friendly to Division 25 interests. Thus, it is possible for the Division to have considerable influence on matters of particular importance to behavior analysts.
Sometimes this influence extends to quarters that some may find surprising. For example, several years ago, Division 25 joined with Division 33 (Developmental Disabilities and Retardation), ABA, and the Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy (AABT) to propose a new practice specialty in Behavioral Psychology. Some on the APA Council voiced opposition to this new specialty because the influence of behavioral treatments was so pervasive. However, it was approved when a representative for the Division for Psychoanalysis spoke on behalf of the proposed specialty because his grandson was diagnosed with autism and had benefited from treatment based on applied behavior analysis!
The Division has a Monitor to the Board of Educational Affairs and has been represented at each of the Education Leadership Conferences. Begun in 2000, these conferences serve a variety of functions, including providing direction and setting a future agenda for the Education Directorate.
One outcome that emerged in part from developments at the First Educational Leadership Conference was the formation of the interdivisional Coalition for Psychology in the Schools and Education. The Division 25 representation on this Coalition promotes evidence-based educational practices and behavioral approaches to education. The Coalition has begun several projects, including a teacher’s needs assessment, the development of several modules on topics such as assessment and classroom management, and discussion of the role that APA might play in the reauthorization of “No Child Left Behind.” A key feature of this legislation was that it required school districts to ensure that each child achieved certain benchmarks in areas such as reading, rather than relying on measures or benchmarks that were aggregated over groups. Despite this, the school progress reports remain at the group level, rather than focusing on the individual. Members of ABA and Division 25 understand the importance of focusing on the behavior of the individual and not relying on group averages, thus we have an interest in this effort.
The Division was also represented at the first annual Science Leadership Conference, modeled after the Educational Leadership Conferences. During the conference, we even got to ask a question debunking brain-based learning on “Talk of the Nation: Science Friday,” an NPR radio program that was linked to the conference agenda. In addition to other topics, these conferences provide opportunities to network with representatives from other divisions to discuss topics of mutual interest.
The Division sponsors a program featuring prominent behavior analysts as part of the annual APA convention. In addition to providing another venue for behavior analysts to present their work, it also provides an opportunity for APA members who would not ordinarily attend the ABA convention to learn about the important work that we do. Opportunities to work with other divisions in co-sponsoring sessions helps facilitate this interaction.
Through its awards program, the Division recognizes the outstanding contributions made by prominent behavior analysts, provides for the broader APA membership to become aware of this work, and uses the awards program to promote work in behavior analysis in APA. The awards include the B. F. Skinner New Researcher Award, the Fred S. Keller Behavioral Education Award, Basic Behavior Analysis Award, Applied Behavior Analysis Award, The Don Hake Basic/Applied Research Award, and the Dissertation Awards. Recipients of the awards generally make a presentation at the annual APA convention and share their work as part of the ABA convention program.
The Division has a liaison to the Committee on International Relations (CIRP) and to Division 52, the Division for International Psychology. Given ABA’s international efforts, these linkages may also prove important for behavior analysis in the future.
With more than 150,000 members, the American Psychological Association is a major presence in Washington, D. C. Given its location in our nation’s capital, it is positioned to do advocacy work on Capitol Hill on behalf of psychology by educating congressional staffers on issues of importance and suggesting language for proposed legislation. In addition, APA can arrange for members to testify before Congressional Committees regarding proposed legislation, as have members of Division 25.
Given the size of APA and the importance of work in behavior analysis, it is critical that we participate in APA and take advantage of the opportunities that this organization provides to advance our work. Individuals can be affiliate members in the Division for $22 per year ($10 for students). APA membership is not required.