Association for Behavior Analysis International

The Association for Behavior Analysis International® (ABAI) is a nonprofit membership organization with the mission to contribute to the well-being of society by developing, enhancing, and supporting the growth and vitality of the science of behavior analysis through research, education, and practice.

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39th Annual Convention; Minneapolis, MN; 2013

Event Details


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Paper Session #305
Behavior Analysis Across Cultures: Issues and Solutions
Monday, May 27, 2013
10:30 AM–11:50 AM
102 F (Convention Center)
Area: CSE
Chair: Thouraya Al-Nasser (University of Nevada, Reno)
 

Cultural Sensitivities of Behaviour Analytic Service Delivery in Jamaica

Domain: Service Delivery
Erin E. Lombard (Step by Step Academy), KIMBERLY WOOLERY (Busy Beez Therapy Center and Special Learning Inc.)
 
Abstract:

While behaviour analysis has grown exponentially across the world, behaviour analysts remain concentrated primarily in the United States.Behaviour analytic principles and interventions are often developed and implemented in the United States and are therefore best applied to Westernized cultures.Effective methods of applying "Westernized" behaviour analysis may not be applicable to families in developing countries like Jamaica.Therefore, educating, supervising, developing and implementing behaviour analytic programmes for individuals in Jamaica will require special considerations that are culturally sensitive to meet the needs of the Jamaican population. These concerns lead to the following questions: how do behaviour analysts modify the Westernized approach and make it culturally sensitive and relevant to the Jamaican population?How can behaviour analysts become culturally sensitive towards clients and supervisees who have different beliefs and attitudes common outside of the United States?This presentation will explore issues surrounding multiculturalism and behaviour analysis by highlighting the disparities between U.S culture and Jamaican culture. This presentation will also highlight the root of several multicultural issues and the challenges that Jamaica faces which in turn impact the supervision and application of behaviour analysis in the country. Discussions will explore bridging the cultural gap, modifying programmes and reviewing possible solutions to tackle these pressing issues.

 

Womens Role in the Labor Sector in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Domain: Applied Research
THOURAYA AL-NASSER (University of Nevada, Reno), Todd A. Ward (University of Nevada, Reno)
 
Abstract:

Women in the Arab world, as a topic, is usually a very sensitive issue to discuss or investigate. This is due to the old Bedouin (tribal) protective approach some families may engage in. Hence women are typically associated with a familys honor and reputation they are securely protected and in some situations sheltered. Consequently, accurate data and information about womens situation in the Arab world in general is very scarce and in some situations unattainable. This paper will focus on the Middle East region taking the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan as a study example to outline the interlocking behavioral and cultural contingencies that differentiate the Arab culture from other cultures. Since the cultural history of the Middle East in general and Jordan in specific is unlike other cultures in the world, the sociocultural contingencies that has shaped the role of women in the labor sector in Jordan specifically will be examined and discussed. There have been some positive changes in regard to womens situation in Jordan compared to other countries in the region that will be outlined. Additionally, a number of recommend potential solutions to this problem will be introduced.

 

Ethics in Tacting Social Constructs

Domain: Theory
NANCY I. SALINAS (Texas Tech University)
 
Abstract:

In Verbal Behavior, Skinner (1957) defined a tact as a verbal operant in which a response of given form is evokedby a particular object or event. In doing so, the tact permits the listener to make inferences via contact with the environment. These inferences are often associated with social constructs that the verbal community tact. The implications of such inferences affect issues related to politics, special populations, social class, immigration, race, etc. The verbal community has the ability to differentially reinforce certain tacts that label members of society. Therefore, it is important to functionally analyze the reinforcing practices of the community which maintain certain tacts. There is no danger in having respectful notions of others; however, problems may arise when the opposite is the case. Referring to members of society in positive terms is more than merely enforcing political correctness. In fact, certain verbal behavior has power that permeates the rest of what we do to- and for- those who are being tacted. After all, as Skinner (1957) noted, a tact is more likely something to be asserted compared to any other verbal operant. The purpose of this paper is to explore the ethical and social implications that such assertions have on our society.

 
 

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