Branching Out: Finding Success in New Areas of Practice
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COMMENTARY
Branching Out: Finding Success in New Areas of Practice Christina A. Alligood 1,2 & Nicole E. Gravina 1
# Association for Behavior Analysis International 2020
Abstract In recent years, researchers and practitioners in behavior analysis have called for expanding the application of the science to new, socially relevant areas. The authors of this article work in the areas of applied animal behavior and organizational behavior management, and we are often asked for guidance and mentoring to help behavior analysts transition into our domains. Here, we offer actionable guidance for bridging the gap between behavior analysis graduate training and career paths that are not yet common for behavior analysts. Working in new practice areas involves a great deal of problem solving without much support. Thus, obtaining high-quality, in-depth training in behavior analysis is essential. We recommend building competence in a new area of practice by finding a mentor or community of practice and then seeking paid employment in that area as soon as possible. Finally, when one begins to work in a new area, it is essential to be realistic and humble. We offer practical advice for implementing each of these suggestions. Keywords career guidance . mentoring . new practice areas
In recent years, researchers and practitioners in behavior analysis have called for expanding the application of the science to new, socially relevant areas (Edwards & Poling, 2011; Friman, 2010; Normand & Kohn, 2013; Poling, 2010; Skinner, 1987). Friman (2010) asserted that most of the field’s applied research addresses “one tail of the distribution of human concerns” and called for behavior analysts to also examine more common problems. Although a significant amount of research in behavior analysis involves interventions for individuals with disabilities, other areas of application have emerged. For example, a limited number of researchers and practitioners have worked in behavioral gerontology (LeBlanc, Raetz, & Feliciano, 2010), behavioral pediatrics (Allen & Hine, 2015), instructional design (Critchfield & Twyman, 2014), and addiction (Dallery, Raiff, Grabinski, & Marsch, 2019). LeBlanc, Heinicke, and Baker (2012) made a number of excellent recommendations for behavior analysts wishing to expand their practice to new clinical populations, and the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB, 2020b) * Nicole E. Gravina [email protected] 1
Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
2
Disney’s Animals, Science, and Environment, Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA
has also provided sound guidance on respecializing in new areas of practice. Behavior analysis has also been applied outside of clinical and educational settings. Examples include animal behavior (Edwards & Poling, 2011), business (Wilder, Austin, & Casella, 2009), sports and fitness (Normand, 2008), safety (Sulzer-Azaroff & Austin, 2000), and video game design (Hopson, 2013). In a 2016 job task analysis survey conducted by the BACB (2020a), over 88% of respondents report
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