AABP Position Statement: On Theoretical Orientation
Last updated: September 4, 2008
The AABP recommends that professional animal trainers and behavior consultants adopt a behavioral (i.e., behavior analytic) approach to changing behavior. We recommend that they avoid quasi-medical language, including terms such as "diagnosis" and "treatment" and label/generalization based assessment practices. Rather than labeling behavior cases (e.g., "dominance aggression"), it is our recommendation that we, as consultants in behavior, utilize the natural science of behavior (i.e., Applied Behavior Analysis) and its principles of learning/behavior to assess the function of specific behaviors--describe the specific behaviors performed by the individual in question and what is causing the behavior (the antecedents that set the occasion for it, motivate it and evoke it, and the consequences that reinforce it). With these ABCs of the behavior, we are in an excellent position to change the behavior. By changing the antecedents and consequences, you change the behavior. Diagnostic labels are not as effective or efficient at describing or explaining a behavior case or changing the behavior as a functional assessment and behavior change program that focuses on the specific, observable, quantifiable behaviors and their controlling variables. Remember, these diagnostic labels are just naming behaviors and you cannot explain a behavior by referring to the behavior itself--this is circular. Identifying the relationship between the behavior and the environment is a scientific explanation. The behavioral approach is systematic and supported by an incredible amount of empirical research. Another benefit to utilizing a behavioral approach over a diagnosis-treatment approach is that it prevents any confusion regarding what we do with what veterinarians do--"diagnose" and "treat" medical conditions. Veterinary behaviorists work with medical "mental conditions" and deal with genetic, anatomical and biochemical aspects of behavior. While there is clearly a place for medical professionals in behavior, that is not what we as non-veterinary behavior consultants do and therefore, the medical approach is not the most efficient and effective model for us to approach behavior with. Our job is the technology of behavior; we apply the natural science of behavior to solve practical problems.
If you are not as familiar with a behavioral approach as other approaches and would like to learn more, the AABP is here to help on the member's email list and the resources we can point you to. It will be worth the effort to familiarize yourself with the best approach available for changing behavior. For more information on a behavioral approach the Companion Animal Sciences Institute provides courses in functional assessment and behavior change programming and procedures and the Living and Learning with Animals course is an excellent way to learn about behavior analysis too. Also, Aggressive Behavior in Dogs by James O'Heare makes use of a behavioral approach. See also excellent books like these:
Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2007). Applied Behavior Analysis. Upper Saddle River: Merril Prentice Hall.
O'Neill, R. E., Horner, R. H., Albin, R. W., Sprague, J. R., Storey, K., & Newton, J. S. (1997). Functional Assessment and Program Development for Problem Behavior A Practical Handbook. New York: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.
Umbreit, J., Ferro, J. B., Liaupsin, C. J., & Lane, K. L. (2007). Functional behavioral assessment and function-based intervention: An effective, practical approach. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.
Miltenberger, R. G. (2004). Behavior Modification Principles and Procedures (3rd ed.). Toronto: Thomson Wadsworth.
Friedman, S. G., Martin, S., & Brinker, B. (2006). Behavior analysis and parrot learning. In A. U. Luescher (Ed.), Manual
of Parrot Behavior (pp. 147-163). Ames: Blackwell Publishing.
- AABP
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The Model Matters
by Susan G. Friedman, Ph.D., PABC
Professionals and clients alike are often confused about where to turn for sound, science information with which to prevent and solve behavior problems. This is in part due to the fact that there are many different disciplines that investigate behavior, each in their own way. Ask the same question about the cause of a problem behavior to an ethologist, veterinarian and behavior analyst and you will likely get 3 very different answers.
The ethologist is likely to explain a problem behavior in terms of an evolution model, with natural selection as the primary causal agent. The ethologist might reframe the question by asking, "What survival function could this behavior have in the wild?" The veterinarian is likely to explain a problem behavior in terms of the medical model, with disease or physical dysfunction as the primary causal agent. The veterinarian might reframe the question by asking, "What underlying disease process accounts for this behavioral symptom? The behavior analyst is likely to explain a problem behavior in term of the behavioral model, accounting for the behavior by identifying the environmental conditions which signal the behavior (antecedents) and give it function (consequences)
Note that with both the ethological and medical models,the primary source of behavior problems is in the animal. However, with the behavioral model, the primary source of behavior problems is in the environment. As discussed by O'Neill, Horner, et.al (1997), when the problem is believed to be in the animal, the focus is on curing the animal; but, when the problem is in the environment, the focus is on changing the conditions in which the animal behaves. Thus the model an animal trainer and behavior consultant adheres to matters in terms of the way behavior questions are framed, the way behavior is described, and in the methods used to solve behavior problems.
(c) 2008 Susan G. Friedman. Draft for a future publication. All rights reserved.