Constructional Approach

Using the United States Constitution as a referent, Goldiamond explored the ethical and humanitarian responsibilities of behavior analysts. He argued against using procedures whose primary goal was decelerating the frequency of behavior. Instead, he advocated for programs that “establish behavior, the absence of which is the problem.” The client has a right to their disturbing pattern, which is likely maintained by important personal consequences, though at some cost to the individual and those around them. The goal is to find the sense in the disturbing pattern, by identifying the consequences maintaining it, and finding a way to provide those consequences, without the, or at greatly reduced, cost. All of this is accomplished in partnership with the client. Goldiamond emphasized that disturbing behavior could best be understood in the context of alternative patterns or contingencies available to the individual, a Nonlinear Contingency Analysis.

Our lab is investigating the application of a constructional approach in assessment and analysis of behavior. 

Current projects include

• Constructional Exposure Therapy

• Analysis and Instruction on the identification of assent in behavior analytic programs