Applied Behavior Analysis

Abstract

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is an extension of the Skinnerian tradition of operant psychology. The focus is on the seven dimensions outlined more than 50 years ago by Baer and colleagues, but the field and the applications have not been static during those 50 years. The social relevance of behavior addressed by ABA ranges from that affecting individuals with severe intellectual disabilities to typically developing children to high‐functioning adults in vastly complex personal and professional environments. Many facets of ABA are considered standards of best practice and have been written directly into federal recommendation or even legislation in the United States. The efficacy and importance of ABA on a cultural level are seen in the growth of the certification process, the development of licensure, and the growth of its parent organization.