Steps towards the wider use of behaviour analysis in applied psychology

Abstract

Applied psychology can be defined as a set of core skills of psychologists. Of these, it is argued, evaluating the efficacy of intervention strategies should be given central importance. It is it also a key feature of evidence-based practice, a popular approach to the whole of health care. From this perspective, applied behaviour analysis can provide an effective approach to the whole field of applied psychology and it has an excellent track record of success in those areas where applications have been developed. However, it is currently limited to certain areas of application, and there is a focus on work with people with developmental delay. A range of obstacles to the wider use of applied behaviour analysis in applied psychology, arising in undergraduate education curricula, dissemination of behavioural principles and findings to professional groups, and organisational cultures, are identified and some potential solutions are suggested. In dealing with consumers outside of psychology, it is important to promote those approaches which have been found to be effective, and applied behaviour analysis is prominent among these.