Scholarship as an operant class: Strategies and tactics for increasing dissemination of applied behavior analysis.

Abstract

Dissemination of applied behavior analytic scholarship to those outside the field can produce potent reinforcers. This discussion proposes that increasing dissemination requires the application of behavior analytic principles to scholarly behavior by applied behavior analysts. Its major premise is that increasing consumption of products of applied behavior analytic scholarship by those from outside the field requires distinct strategies to (a) attract individuals from outside the field to traditional outlets for applied behavior analytic scholarship and (b) increase the frequency of applied behavior analytic scholarship appearing in outlets that do not regularly feature it. A critical element of both strategies is the judicious adoption of methods or terminology from other disciplines. However, different approaches are required to implement each strategy. Practical tactics for individual applied behavior analysts to contribute to both strategies are also discussed.