ABAI Chapters in Italy
The Association for Behavior Analysis International has two active chapters in Italy: an Associate Chapter (IACABAI) and an Affiliated Chapter (IESCUM). In addition, two other chapters were affiliated in the past as follows:
| Chapter | Type | Years Active |
|---|
| AIAMC (Italian Association of Analysis and Modification of Behavior) |
Affiliated |
1985–2007 |
| IESCUM (Istituto Europeo per lo Studio del Comportamento Umano) |
Affiliated |
2007–Present |
| AARBA (Association for the Advancement of Radical Behavior Analysis) |
Affiliated |
2008–2017 |
| IACABAI (AARBA/AIAMC) — Italy Associate Chapter of ABAI |
Associate |
2017–Present |
History of ABAI’s Italian Chapters
ABAI has maintained a relationship with the behavior analysis community in Italy since 1985. Over the decades, several chapters have been affiliated with or recognized by ABAI. The following is a brief overview of that history.
AIAMC (1985-2007)
AIAMC was the first ABAI-affiliated chapter in Italy, established in 1985. The chapter was active for 22 years before its affiliation was discontinued in 2007, following a period of inactivity and failure to submit required annual reports.
IESCUM
(2007-Present) IESCUM became an ABAI-affiliated chapter in 2007. Its mission is to promote the science of behavior and advance its humane application to solve practical problems and relieve human suffering. IESCUM remains an active affiliated chapter of ABAI.
AARBA (2008-2017)
AARBA became an ABAI-affiliated chapter in 2008, with a mission aligned with ABAI's own: to develop, enhance, and support the growth and vitality of behavior analysis through research, education, and practice.
IACABAI (2017-Present)
In 2017, AARBA and AIAMC merged to form the Italy Associate Chapter of ABAI (IACABAI). As an associate chapter, IACABAI has a closer relationship with ABAI than a standard affiliated chapter, with its members also holding ABAI membership.
Current
Status ABAI currently recognizes two active chapters in Italy: IACABAI (associate chapter) and IESCUM (affiliated chapter). Because two chapters exist within the same territory, neither chapter is authorized to represent itself as the sole ABAI chapter in Italy, to speak on behalf of ABAI, or to claim to represent all behavior analysts in Italy.
ABAI is not affiliated with and has no official relationship with any other organizations in Italy.
Associate vs. Affiliated ABAI Chapters
Similarities
Both affiliated and associate chapters must be consistent with ABAI’s mission. ABAI offers several services to both affiliated and associate chapters, collaborating to bring behavior analysis to areas worldwide. Both types of chapters receive the following: opportunities to disseminate and promote membership recruitment, arrangements for chapter business meetings at the ABAI annual convention, publication of chapter news and announcements in ABAI’s Inside Behavior Analysis member publication, maintenance for an ABAI-hosted chapter webpage on the ABAI website, poster space at ABAI’s annual convention, the opportunity to send promotional emails, and maintenance for a chapter listserv.
Another similarity is that affiliated and associate chapters cannot make position statements on behalf of ABAI. According to our bylaws, ABAI’s statements of official positions on societal, professional, and other issues can only be issued on its behalf if a vote of Full members of ABAI has approved such positions.
Suppose a chapter wishes to issue statements or guidelines. In that case, it must include a disclaimer stating that its position does not reflect the position of ABAI, its Executive Council, or its members. If a chapter issues a position statement or guideline, the ABAI office must be informed in writing before the document is disseminated. ABAI should receive a copy of the document with the disclaimer for its files.
Differences
Chapters operate in a specific geographic area, such as a city, state, or country. Affiliated chapter members are not automatically members of ABAI. They are members of their chapter. They can individually join and apply for ABAI membership as an Adjunct Member for a discount.