Association for Behavior Analysis International

Conceptually, “choice” can be theoretically fraught for radical behaviorists because of its incompatibility with strict determinism. Pragmatically though, choice has been an important and popular topic in behavior analysis research and practice. Broadly defined, choice is consistently among the most popular topics at this conference and in behavioral journals. It has yielded some of the most significant conceptual and empirical advances in behavior analysis. From substance abuse to consumer activities to problem behavior, few areas of behavior analysis have escaped the influence of choice. Choice is a critical variable in mathematical elaborations on the matching law that serve as the foundation for quantitative models of behavior and client preference assessments alike. This panel follows six individual presentations about key concepts, cutting edge research, and contemporary thinking about choice in behavior analysis education, research, and practice. In this panel, three distinguished behavior analysts will reflect on the value of choice for behavior analysts and offer their thoughts about where the field might go in the future. The panel is also an opportunity for an interactive discussion with the audience about the future of choice in behavior analysis.

Board certified behavior analysts; licensed psychologists; graduate students.