Baer, Wolf and Risley's recommendation that applied behavior analysis be applied, behavioral, analytic, technological, conceptually systematic, effective, and capable of appropriately generalized outcomes seems somewhat redundant, but to spell out the standards and characteristics of a science is, in fact, very scientific. Precision is key, particularly in science, and simply assuming that something is understood by a population will often lead to confusion and miscommunication.
The “applied” part of their definition refers to the enhancement and improvement of behaviors that positively impact people's lives. Behaviors that are selected for interventions must be somehow significant to the quality of life of the person receiving intervention. This determination should be made not by the researcher, but by those who are impacted in day-to-day life by the behavior of the participant.
“Behavioral” analysis should account for real-life behaviors, and not second-hand responses or questionnaires. Actual interaction and observation in everyday life, as opposed to measurement through machines or paper assessments, is necessary to form a true idea of the circumstances being studied. Precise measurements of actual behaviors are also a necessary component, as is the certainty that it truly is the participant's behavior that has changed and not the observers.
The reliability of an “analytic” report must always be in the reader's mind. Variables to the condition of the intervention must be carefully controlled to the fullest extent possible so that there is no question that the change was a result of the intervention.
Any experiment or scientific procedure must be designed in such a way that any researcher of adequate skills may reproduce it and achieve the same results. The “technicality” of a behavioral intervention design must be such that anyone with training in applied behavior analysis can read a description of the method and act it out without errors or additions.
A “conceptually systematic” intervention means simply that the theory behind the design can be explained by basic behavioral principles
An “effective” intervention must simply result in a satisfactory change in behavior. This satisfaction is determined by those who are affected by the behavior. Effectiveness refers to practical expectations of the participant, not necessarily that they perform to any specific standards.
An intervention should only be considered successful if the behavior change can be “generalized” over any aspect of the participant's daily life. If the change only manifests in the clinical setting where the intervention occurred, the change has not been generalized, and cannot be considered truly learned. Ideally, a change in behavior will be extended to other, related behaviors.
In summary, applied behavior analysis should be thoughtful and precise. It is a human-centered science and not data-driven, although precise data and description of situations and environments are crucial aspects to acceptable implementation.
