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Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior

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Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
NameSociety for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
Founded0 1957
FounderB. F. Skinner, Charles B. Ferster, W. N. Schoenfeld, William H. Morse, James G. Holland
FocusExperimental analysis of behavior
HeadquartersUnited States
Key peopleMurray Sidman, Ivar Lovaas, Richard Herrnstein
Websitehttps://seab.envmed.rochester.edu/

Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior. Founded in 1957, it is a professional organization dedicated to the advancement of the scientific study of behavior through experimental research. The society was established by prominent figures in the field, including B. F. Skinner, to promote a natural science approach to understanding behavior. Its core mission centers on the experimental analysis of behavior, a discipline rooted in the principles of radical behaviorism and operant conditioning.

History and founding

The society was formally established in 1957, emerging from a growing need for a dedicated forum for researchers committed to the experimental analysis of behavior as a natural science. Its founding was spearheaded by B. F. Skinner alongside other key figures such as Charles B. Ferster, W. N. Schoenfeld, William H. Morse, and James G. Holland. This group sought to create an organization distinct from the more general American Psychological Association, focusing specifically on the rigorous, data-driven methodologies championed by Skinner's work at Harvard University. The formation of the society coincided with the rise of the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, which became its flagship publication and a critical outlet for research on topics like schedules of reinforcement and behavioral pharmacology.

Mission and purpose

The primary mission is to promote the experimental, theoretical, and applied analysis of behavior as a natural science. It aims to foster communication and collaboration among scientists who study the behavior of individual organisms across species, including humans. The society upholds the philosophical foundations of radical behaviorism, emphasizing the study of behavior as a subject matter in its own right, without recourse to hypothetical mental constructs. This purpose is advanced through supporting the dissemination of research in its journals, organizing scientific meetings, and recognizing outstanding contributions through awards like the Fred S. Keller Behavioral Education Award and the B. F. Skinner Lecture.

Key publications

The society publishes two major peer-reviewed journals that are central to the field. The Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, launched in 1958, focuses on original experimental research involving the behavior of individual organisms. The Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, established in 1968, is devoted to applications of the principles of behavior analysis to problems of social importance. These publications have been instrumental in disseminating seminal work by researchers such as Murray Sidman on stimulus equivalence, Ivar Lovaas on early intensive behavioral intervention for autism, and Richard Herrnstein on the matching law.

Organizational structure and governance

The society is governed by an elected Board of Directors and led by a President, with operations managed by a central office. Membership is open to individuals with a professional interest in the experimental analysis of behavior, including scientists, educators, and students. Key administrative and scientific decisions are often made by committees, such as those overseeing publications, program planning for the annual Association for Behavior Analysis International convention, and awards. The society maintains close collaborative ties with related organizations, including the Association for Behavior Analysis International and the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies.

Major conferences and events

The society is a major sponsor of the annual convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, where it hosts its presidential address, business meetings, and special symposia. It also organizes the biennial International Conference on Comparative Cognition and sponsors topical conferences on specialized areas within the field. A flagship event is the annual B. F. Skinner Lecture, presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis International convention, which features addresses by distinguished scientists like Howard Rachlin on teleological behaviorism or A. Charles Catania on the history of the discipline.

Impact and legacy

The society has had a profound impact on the development of behavior analysis as a distinct scientific discipline. It provided the institutional backbone for the growth of both the experimental analysis of behavior and its applied branch, applied behavior analysis. Its journals have published landmark studies that shaped understanding in areas ranging from behavioral economics to the treatment of developmental disabilities. The society's emphasis on precise measurement and single-subject experimental designs influenced fields such as behavioral pharmacology, behavioral neuroscience, and organizational behavior management. Its legacy continues through the work of its members in academic institutions, research centers like the New England Center for Children, and clinics worldwide.

Category:Behavioral organizations Category:Scientific societies based in the United States Category:Organizations established in 1957