Behavior Analysis and Community Practice

Abstract

Behavior analysis has made major contributions to social work practice on the individual, family, group, and organizational levels. Combining recent advances in behavioral theory, particularly Skinner's concept of cultural practices and Glenn's work related to sets of inter locking contingencies, with a review of the available empirical literature, behavior-analytic principles can now clearly begin to provide guidance for practice at a community level. In this article, applications of these principles for increasing the level and quality of community participation, building prosocial community practices, and reducing undesirable community practices are examined. Of particular importance is the emerging evidence for the need to emphasize strategies focusing on positive reinforcement to shape and maintain desirable actions, as opposed to coercive efforts to suppress undesirable ones. Essential skills of behavioral practice also are identified, as are critical directions for further conceptual development, practice, and research.