Sustaining Personal Activism: Behavior Analysts as Antiracist Accomplices

Abstract

One pervasive social issue that has received little attention within the behavior-analytic community is racism and the systemic oppression of Black, Indigenous, and non-Black people of color. The present article offers guidance and examples of how each of us as behavior analysts might build individualized self-management behavior change plans that support initiating and sustaining socially significant antiracism work as we move from allies to accomplices within our own sphere of influence. This article introduces the concept of self-managed antiracism behavior change plans that (a) operationally define antiracist action using measurable outcomes and strategies for data collection on specific antiracist and support actions, (b) provide choices to improve engagement and reduce barriers to adherence, and (c) use effective behavioral interventions to alter the availability of discriminative stimuli or reduce their influence, and increase the availability of reinforcers that are compatible with the goal of the behavior change plan for increasing antiracism behavior and dismantling structures perpetuating racial inequities.

Racial justice allyship requires civil courage: A behavioral prescription for moral growth and change.

“…In fact, many have said that this was the most meaningful and impactful course they had ever taken. Like any exercises that promote growth, these are challenging, but CBT principles inform us that over time, such experiences reduce anxiety, relieve cognitive distortions around race, and become easier to carry out (Devine et al, 2012; Foa & Kozak, 1986; Machalicek et al, 2021; Williams et al, 2020). Nonetheless, the exercises can be more difficult than anticipated; therefore, students will need praise and support as they work through them (Williams, 2019b).…”

“…In the following section are ten practical exercises designed to build awareness and foster civil courage, based on cognitive-behavioral approaches (e.g., Foa & Kozak, 1986; Machalicek et al, 2021; Sewart & Craske, 2020) and ordered from (typically) easiest to most challenging. The first set of exercises is designed to help us see and understand the unwritten rules of society about interacting with other races.…”

A Summary of the Recommendations to Increase Cultural Responsiveness in the Field of Applied Behavior Analysis

“…This type of activity might not come naturally as our environments generally support the perpetuation of the cultures of which we are a member (Miller et al, 2019). Machalicek et al (2021) describes the importance of putting in time and completing measurable activities to begin engaging with different cultures. This could seem like a daunting task for practitioners with full caseloads and little personal time, but Machalicek et al give recommendations for small tasks that can be built upon to make meaningful changes.…”

“…This could seem like a daunting task for practitioners with full caseloads and little personal time, but Machalicek et al give recommendations for small tasks that can be built upon to make meaningful changes. Incorporating culturally relevant topics into supervision meetings, listening to podcasts, reading books by authors of a culture that differs from one's own, or following social media accounts that focus on issues in diversity are just a few suggestions that could be incorporated into a practitioner's busy schedule (Machalicek et al, 2021). To say that the lives of practitioners are busy is an understatement.…”

Culturally Relevant Pedagogy and Applied Behavior Analysis: Addressing Educational Disparities in PK-12 Schools

“…ABA is a versatile field with principles of behavior that have been applied in numerous settings, organizations, and systems. The collective knowledge in ABA has formed a foundation of evidence-based strategies that are used in multiple fields including medical healthcare (e.g., Addison et al, 2012;DeFulio & Silverman, 2012) and mental healthcare (e.g., Hayes et al, 2012;Petts et al, 2016), social and community activism (e.g., Machalicek et al, 2021;Mathur & Rodriguez, 2021), and educational programming (e.g., Greer, 2002;Hugh-Pennie et al, 2018;Trump et al, 2018) with emerging evidence in law enforcement and the justice system (e.g., Carvalho et al, 2021;Crow & Drew, 2021;Pritchett et al, 2021). Additionally, behavior analysts use research from experimental behavior analysis (e.g., Bergmann et al, 2021;Green & Freed, 1993;Harsin et al, 2021; Socio-political awareness Critical literacy; engage students in social justice work through community projects; make explicit the power dynamics of mainstream society; share power in the classroom through personalized systems of instruction and choices in learning apply behavioral principles such as social work (e.g.,.…”