Open AccessCultural Humility in the Practice of Applied Behavior Analysis
Author(s) -
Patricia I. Wright
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
behavior analysis in practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2196-8934
pISSN - 1998-1929
DOI - 10.1007/s40617-019-00343-8
Subject(s) - humility , cultural humility , psychological intervention , intervention (counseling) , psychology , diversity (politics) , field (mathematics) , applied behavior analysis , adaptation (eye) , cultural diversity , social psychology , applied psychology , sociology , engineering ethics , cultural competence , political science , developmental psychology , pedagogy , engineering , mathematics , autism , psychiatry , neuroscience , anthropology , pure mathematics , law
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) has the intent to improve the human condition in a broad range of categories of practice and for diverse groups of individuals across cultures. The data on the diversity of the professionals practicing in the field of ABA are sparse. Access to ABA intervention is inequitable, and cultural differences are not adequately addressed in many current established behavioral interventions. Cultural humility is a framework used by other professional disciplines to address both institutional and individual behavior that contributes to the power imbalance, the marginalization of communities, and disparities in health access and outcomes. This article discusses the adoption of culturally humble practices, specifically through the use of self-reflection, by the field of ABA to address disparities and improve outcomes. A specific framework from the field of social work is shared, and an adaptation to the behavior-analytic practice of self-management is provided.