Applied Behavior Analysis of Language and Cognition: Core Concepts and Principles for Practitioners

by Mitch J. Fryling (Editor), Ruth Anne Rehfeldt (Editor), Jonathan Tarbox (Editor)

Written by leading experts in language and cognition, this groundbreaking behavior analysis textbook brings the study of verbal behavior into the 21st century with cutting-edge research. Students and clinicians in the burgeoning field of applied behavior analysis will find the theoretical foundation they need to effectively help the increasingly diverse clients seeking their services. The origins of behavior analysis can be traced to the pioneering work of B.F. Skinner. Skinner’s fundamental insights into how human behavior is shaped, maintained, and can be changed were powerful and far-reaching. Some of Skinner’s most innovative contributions were in the study of language. Behavior analytic work in the area of language and cognition did not stop with Skinner, however. Indeed, Skinner’s work in this area has inspired considerable expansion, particularly with an eye toward more sophisticated verbal and cognitive repertoires. This important volume provides an overview of the concepts and core behavioral processes involved in language and cognition. You’ll find a deeper exploration of complex linguistic and cognitive skills, including generative responding, learning by observation, and perspective taking. Also included are clinically supported interventions based in mindfulness, psychological flexibility, and emotion regulation to help clients improve complex language, social, and academic skills. The future of behavior analysis is here. With its focus on the importance of language and cognition, this textbook is a must-read for anyone studying or practicing in the science of behavior.

376 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2020

Reviews

[Hugh Simonich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was 17 chapters, each written by a different set of authors, all put together by the editors and contributors themselves. It builds systematically from the basic verbal operants of Skinner to Stimulus Equivalence to RFT, and building on RFT to the Process Based Behavioral Therapy model (PBBT) and how perspective taking, empathy and compassion fit in to this functional analysis of language models.

This is a book that is well worth the read for any behavior analyst so you know the history, theory, models and practical implications of a thorough and relevant analysis of language. Language is behavior, but it operates a bit differently than what we traditionally refer to as behavior, focusing not only on the direct contingencies, but the indirect contingencies as well of a historical and social context. Words carry not only the meaning of the present, but the meaning of a personalized past - not only the word itself, but how it's presented and in what context. There is a chapter that focuses on functional contextualism that put these elements into perspective - there is no one element that can be isolated and studied as if it exists as a part. All the conceptualized elements of language are partitioned out as pragmatic tools to help us understand and function better, but they don't really exist as parts. It's the unseparated whole of the contextualized field (including the observer/investigator himself) that is then pragmatically parceled out for workability. I'm reminded that we often entangle the meaning with the content.

This was comprehensive and extremely helpful. I agree that it should be a part of any curriculum in behavior analysis and used as a resource for interventions to build and increase language skills.

[💖📚BOOKZAMILLION📖💘 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative!


Total Book Experience 10/10

Plot/Storyline (structure)10/10
Writing (Errors) 10/10
Characters 10/10
Again-able 10/10
Emotion 10/10
Book Cover 10/10
Visual/ Illustratable 10/10
Addictiveness 10/10
Threshold quality 10/10
Unique 10/10