Scholarly publications
Includes peer reviewed journals within and adjacent to behavior analysis
(Starred journals available to BCBAs through the BACB portal)
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis *
7/29 Breeman, S. L., Irwin Helvey, C., & Greer, B. D. (2026). Recent developments and future directions for competing stimulus assessments. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 59(4), e70074. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.70074
(Open access) The authors discuss the literature around competing stimulus assessments and augmented competing stimulus assessments, which have increased, particularly in relation to assessments for social mediation
7/30 McKeown, C. A., Williams, M. T., Quintero-Giegeling, A. M., & Vollmer, T. R. (2026). Further evaluation of the observer effect to train discrete-trial instruction skills. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 59(4), e70075. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.70075
15 undergrad students read a description of 3 discrete trial skills and performed them with kids. Then they watched a video on matching and scored the skills using a fidelity checklist. 73% met mastery criteria for matching after scoring the matching video, and 47% met mastery for the other 2 skills, implying that observation alone can lead to mastery in some cases
Behavior Analysis in Practice
7/29 Carrière, R., Sabourin, L., Nieradka, J. et al. Skill‑Based Treatment for Children and Adolescents with Challenging Behaviors in Schools: A Scoping Review. Behav Analysis Practice (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-026-01213-w
In a literature review, the authors identified 7 articles and 1 dissertation examining SBT in schools. Challenging behaviors decreased, and it appears that SBT is possible to use in schools despite limited research
Hollins-Mosley, N.A., Snyder, D.E. & Soracco, J. Collaboration and Capacity Standards for School-based Behavior Analysts. Behav Analysis Practice (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-026-01200-1
(Open access) Most school-based BCBAs are charged with implementing MTSS/PBIS at level 3, but effective implementation of levels 1 and 2 are equally important. The authors detail ways to effectively implement all levels
7/30 Jimenez-Gomez, C., Beaulieu, L., Vance, H. et al. Fostering Culturally Responsive Practice in Behavior Analysts Through Online Training and Supervision. Behav Analysis Practice (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-026-01218-5
3 participants took an 8-hour course on culturally-responsive practices, and their knowledge improved. After receiving hands-on training, they increased their skill in culturally-responsive practices
Cymbal, D.J., Sleiman, A.A., Betz, A.M. et al. A Primer on OBM Research for ABA Organizations: Opportunities, Considerations, and Suggestions for Effective Research. Behav Analysis Practice (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-026-01215-8
You can also read Aubrey Daniels for free
Perspectives on Behavior Science
7/29 Lechago, S.A., Pietras, C.J. Teaching Graduate Courses on Radical Behaviorism: Goals, Strategies, and Resources. Perspect Behav Sci (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40614-026-00510-7
For a list of resources, see the supplementary info
Behavior and Social Issues
7/28 Sanabria, E., Spiker, S. Building Foundations: Developing Repertoires of Humility, Responsiveness, and Collaboration in Applied Behavior Analysis. Behav. Soc. Iss. (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42822-026-00264-6
The authors posit that "humility, responsiveness, and collaboration" are key behaviors of a behavior analyst, and they provide examples and methods to develop those skills
Behavior Modification *
7/30 Edwards-Bowyer, M., Brown, C., Imler-Brandt, M., Carpenter, M. E., Hirsch, S. E., & Lewis, T. J. (2026). Team Membership and Behavior Plan Quality: Participation of Mental Health Professionals, Behavior Specialists, and Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. Behavior Modification, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/01454455261468294
In 2 large American school districts, the FBA/BIP process typically included the student themselves as well as mental health professionals, but not "behavior specialists"
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior *
7/26 Witkiewitz, K., Tucker, J. A., Hayes, T., Kuhlemeier, A., Aldridge, A., & Vuchinich, R. E. (2026). Engagement in alcohol-free activities, community-level economic disadvantage, and heavy drinking following alcohol treatment. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 126(1), e70125. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.70125
The authors hypothesized that engagement in more activities would result in less drinking; in examining over 1,700 individuals enrolled at 10 US sites for reducing problem drinking, this was confirmed, particularly in impoverished areas
7/28 Makar, J. R., Rice, N. C., & Myers, T. M. (2026). Percentile schedules to shape touchscreen response locations in cynomolgus macaques. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 126(2), e70129. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.70129
Percentile schedules were manipulated in several experiments that involved moving unsignalled locations for reinforcement on a touchscreen (e.g., close to previous touch, far from previous touch, horizontal/vertical movement, etc.) manipulated by macaques. The schedules controlled responding
Strickland, J. C., Naudé, G. P., Gelino, B. W., Schlitzer, R. D., Harbaugh, J. C., Thrul, J., Czaplicki, L., Moran, M. B., & Johnson, M. W. (2026). Effects of cigarette greenwashing advertising on behavioral economic demand, puff topography, and health risk perception. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 126(2), e70133. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.70133
In 2 sessions, 31 smokers were exposed to "advertising" for identical cigarettes: one advertised as "green" and one advertised with standard methods. Smokers preferred the "green" brand at the same price, though each would substitute for the other and puff topography was unchanged
Kuroda, T., & Kawanabe, M. (2026). Conditional discrimination of electroencephalogram alpha amplitudes in humans. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 126(2), e70128. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.70128
In the 1950s, a study showed that participants could change their brain waves (possible with meditation) with biofeedback, but follow-ups did not typically replicate and there were confounds with the original study. This study attempted to eliminate the confounds, and found that 3/5 participants changed their brain waves
7/31 Gomes-Ng, S., Elliffe, D., & Cowie, S. (2026). Divided stimulus control depends on global, but not local, reinforcement contingencies. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 126(2), e70127. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.70127
(Open access) In a translational study with pigeons, they could engage in a matching-to-sample task wherein they peck a blue or white disk that flashed slowly or quickly. In some cases the qualities signalled future reinforcement. Global effects of overall reinforcer probability exercised stimulus control, but local effects did not
The Analysis of Verbal Behavior
7/29 Simmons, B.A., Dozier, C.L., Kamlowsky, M.E. et al. Identifying Appropriate Communication Modalities for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Analysis Verbal Behav (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40616-026-00231-7
In a replication and extension of a previous study, the authors evaluated prerequisite skills and then tested various communication modalities. While some prerequisite skills transferred to a communication modality, there were often alterations necessary to ensure success
Ellsworth, M., Pullar, T. & Morris, C. The Effects of Alternating Prompt Strategies on the Acquisition of Independent Responding. Analysis Verbal Behav (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40616-026-00232-6
Given that stimulus prompt fading is not always effective, the authors alternated prompt conditions with 1 participant, with whom it was effective
Education and Treatment of Children
7/28 Meadan, H., Alqunaysi, R., Xia, Y. et al. Artificial Intelligence in Practice: BCBAs’ Attitudes, Concerns, and Needs. Educ. Treat. Child. (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43494-026-00180-9
The incredibly powerful tool that can't reproduce a map of Africa will surely be important someday
7/29 Ampuero, M.E., Robertson, R.E., Fitzgerald, K.S. et al. The Effectiveness of Brief Performance Feedback Training Strategies for Paraeducators Supporting Students with Autism: A Systematic Review of Single Case Research. Educ. Treat. Child. (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43494-026-00189-0
(Open access) In a literature review, the authors identified 12 studies that involved brief feedback for paraeducators, finding that brief feedback may be as effective as other methods but more efficient
Journal of Behavioral Education
7/27 Speight, R., White, A. & Barr, S. Evaluation of the Effects of CW-FIT MS: A Study of Novice Teacher Implementation. J Behav Educ (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-026-09649-4
(Open access) CW-FIT MS is a middle-school classwide treatment package that includes "clearly teaching behavioral expectations, using precorrection and active supervision, providing immediate and consistent feedback at the cue of a timer, maintaining a high ratio of praise to reprimands (4:1), minimizing reinforcement of problem behaviors, and providing reinforcement to students for demonstration of expected behaviors." In two experiments, it worked but teachers and students didn't like it much
Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science
7/29 Relationship Between Repetitive Negative Thinking, Emotional Distress, and Valued Actions of Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women: An Experience Sampling Method Protocol
(In press) Increases in repetitive negative thinking appear to correlate with decreases in valued action
8/1 Spanish Validation of the PBAT and Cross-Country Mapping of Process-Outcome Networks Using Link Community Analysis
In press) "[...] perceived inability to change ineffective behavior was relatively prominent in the U.S. [...]"
Book publications
Textbooks, handbooks, manuals, or mass-market
Upcoming:
Nonlinear Contingency Analysis: Going Beyond Cognition and Behavior in Clinical Practice, Layng, Andronis, Codd, Abdel-Jalil (Eds.) (Nov 2026)
Case Studies and Applications in Nonlinear Contingency Analysis, Abdel-Jalil & Linnehan (Eds.) (Oct 2026)
WAVE Prosocial Assessment and Curriculum, Rehfeldt & Dixon (Pre-order)
AIM Navigators, Dixon (Pre-order)
Personal Narratives on the Behavior Analysis of Human Language and Cognition: Stories from Around the World, Harte et al. (Eds.)
Digital Technologies in Behavior Science: Theoretical and Practical Applications, Crone-Todd, Hantula, Layng (Eds.)
Promoting Language for Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Verbal Behavior Guide for Practitioners, Vladescu & Kissamore (Eds.)
Navigating Ethics in Behavior Analysis: Dealing with Gray Areas, Carr
Podcasts
ABA Inside Track
So You Want to Teach Reading w/ Dr. Denise Ross + Dr. Douglas Greer
All Things Behavior
Towards a Functional Account of Mass-Shooting: Prediction and Influence of Violent Behavior with James Meindl and Jonathan Ivy
Functional Relations
#45 - Spreading the Science: Radical Behaviorism for All w/ Dr. Matt Normand
Blogs
Generally these are produced by professionals
ABAI
Reasoning Machines and Mediational Theory
In a guest post from the guys who think derived relations don't exist, there is a distinction made between LLMs (which essentially are fancy autocomplete) and reasoning models (which will engage in a "logical" chain to solve a problem)
Freedom, Dignity, and the Bonds of Social Decency: Does Believing in Free Will Create Behavioral Benefits?
A discussion of free will that does not appear to consider the effect of choice on reinforcement or the effect of choice on punishment
Licensing & professional organizations
ASAN
Changes to the Public Charge Rule Hurt Immigrants with Disabilities
Business world
Autism services, behavioral health, etc.
Kaiser faces complaint over automated behavioral health triage system is the free-market version of “death panels” that single-payer healthcare would never have produced, and also Autism Industry Giants, Tech Co. Make Run at Creating ‘Common Measuring Stick’ for Care which is apparently a tech “eye tracking” company drawing investment from private equity. The “automated assessment” stories almost write themselves
Accidentally behavior analysis
A mainstream news article that relates to behavior analysis
Can Rock Climbing, Weight Lifting and Free Lattes Keep People Sober?, NYT
Well, yes. The answer (as we saw in a publication this week that continues years of research on this topic) is yes – but much like contingency management, popular representations of the issue are dismissive to the point of absurdity (NYT: Why Forced Addiction Treatment Fails). Note that “rock climbing” and “free lattes” are specifically chosen to be middle-class, white, and cringe. They didn’t choose, just for example, bowling or barbeques.
Continuing education
UPCOMING:
BehaviorLive has free events: 8/3, 8/5, 8/6, 8/12, 8/26 (ETH), 8/27 (SUP)
Flashback
Personal edits, you say?
