What Is Behavior Analysis?
Behavior analysis is the science of understanding behavior — why it happens, how it changes, and how it can be influenced in meaningful ways. At its core, behavior analysis asks a simple but powerful question: “What causes behavior to change over time?” To find answers, behavior analysts study both biology and environment. But their main focus is on how the environment shapes behavior — through everyday experiences, social interactions, rewards, challenges, and more.
Some professionals in the field do research to uncover how behavior works at a fundamental level. Others work directly with individuals and families — applying these insights to help people thrive. From improving communication and daily skills to reducing challenging behaviors, the goal is always the same: to enhance quality of life. Whether in homes, schools, clinics, or communities, behavior analysis provides practical, evidence-based tools to support real and lasting change.
The field is called behavior analysis because it focuses directly on understanding behavior — what people do, how it changes, and why. The name comes from B.F. Skinner, one of the founders of this science. He believed that behavior should be studied on its own terms — not just as a sign of something happening in the mind or brain. To him, even thoughts and feelings were forms of behavior that could be understood through science.
Rather than guessing what’s “in the mind,” behavior analysts focus on what’s happening around a person — the environment, the responses, the patterns. These insights help us understand what supports real change. Today, that same focus guides everything we do: looking at behavior clearly, practically, and with respect for each person’s unique experience.
In behavior analysis, we understand that all behavior is shaped by two main influences: biology and environment. Biological factors include things like how the body is built (for example, birds can fly — humans can’t), how our brains and bodies function, and even health conditions or injuries. Our genetics play a role too, but mostly by shaping how our bodies and brains respond to the world.
Environmental factors are the day-to-day things around us — a change in temperature, a comment from a friend, the structure of a routine, or even cultural expectations. These are the moments that can trigger or influence behavior, especially over time. While biology sets the stage, behavior analysts focus most on the environment — because that’s where we can make the biggest, most positive difference. By adjusting surroundings and experiences, we help individuals learn new skills, reduce challenges, and thrive in everyday life.
Not at all. While behavior analysts often focus on environmental factors, they absolutely recognize that biology plays a key role in behavior. In fact, B.F. Skinner — the founder of behavior analysis — began his graduate work in physiology. He never denied the importance of biology. Instead, he believed that anatomy and physiology should be the focus of those specialized in those fields. His view was that behavior itself deserved direct study — not just as a symptom of something happening in the brain or mind, but as a subject worth understanding on its own terms.
That said, not all behavior analysts take Skinner’s exact approach. Some actively study how drugs, diet, illness, or genetics impact behavior. The bottom line: behavior analysis doesn’t ignore biology — it simply places emphasis on what can be observed, measured, and most often changed: the environment.
Almost — but not exactly. The term “behaviorist” is a broader, more general label. Historically, it’s been used to describe a range of thinkers who study behavior, including those with different philosophies and approaches.
A “behavior analyst,” on the other hand, refers to someone trained in the science of behavior analysis — a field grounded in specific principles, research methods, and ethical guidelines.
In short, All behavior analysts are behaviorists, but not all behaviorists are behavior analysts. The term “behavior analyst” reflects a more precise and professional identity in today’s scientific and clinical world.
In behavior analysis, behavior is defined as anything a person or animal does that can be observed and measured. That includes actions like speaking, walking, eating, or even raising an eyebrow as well as more subtle behaviors like turning your head toward a sound or shifting your gaze.
Behavior analysts focus on what can be seen and tracked, because that’s where meaningful change can happen. If it can be observed and measured, it can be understood — and supported.
Very broad. Behavior analysis isn’t just for clinical settings — it’s used anywhere behavior change can make life better. From helping individuals overcome drug addiction, to improving workplace culture, to designing better education systems, behavior analysis has real-world impact. It’s been successfully applied to:
- Toilet training and early childhood development
- Diet and exercise programs
- Reducing juvenile delinquency
- Improving classroom behavior and learning outcomes
- Reshaping organizational structures for better performance
Whether it’s supporting a child with autism, helping teams collaborate better, or guiding healthier habits — behavior analysis offers tools that work in everyday life.
No. Thoughts and feelings are considered real forms of behavior. They’re just private — meaning only the person experiencing them can observe them.
Because behavior analysis focuses on what can be observed and measured, thoughts and emotions are approached carefully. You can’t count how often someone feels anxious the same way you count how often they flap their hands — but that doesn’t mean it’s ignored.
Instead, behavior analysts look at what triggers those feelings and what patterns surround them. If anxiety rises every time a child hears loud noises, the behavior analyst takes that seriously — not by analyzing “the mind,” but by adjusting the environment to reduce distress and improve outcomes. So while thoughts and feelings aren’t dismissed, behavior analysts work with what can be seen, tracked, and improved.
Behavior analysts conduct both basic and applied research, just like other scientific disciplines.
- Basic research focuses on discovering the underlying principles that drive behavior. For example, researchers may study how reinforcement or shaping works over time, deepening our understanding of why behavior changes.
- Applied research puts these principles into real-world use — in schools, clinics, workplaces, and homes. One of the most impactful areas of applied research has been in autism. Behavior analysis has transformed the way children on the autism spectrum are supported, helping them develop communication, social, and daily living skills through personalized, data-driven strategies.
Importantly, applied behavior analysis isn’t limited to treating problems. It can also be used to enhance learning, performance, and well-being in people of all ages and abilities.
Research is at the heart of behavior analysis — even in applied settings. Whether working in schools, clinics, or homes, behavior analysts rely on data to understand what’s working and what’s not. In applied behavior analysis (ABA), professionals routinely collect data to guide their decisions. This process mirrors what researchers do in laboratories, but the focus is on helping real people in real time — especially individuals with autism and developmental differences. While not all data collected in practice is published, it still follows the same scientific rigor. Only findings that reveal new insights about behavior change tend to make it into journals.
Not quite. While both share roots in behavior science, their approaches and areas of focus differ. Behavior therapists often draw from classical (Pavlovian) conditioning and typically work with issues like anxiety, depression, or intrusive thoughts—forms of behavior that aren’t always outwardly visible.
Applied behavior analysts, on the other hand, primarily use operant-based strategies and focus on observable, measurable behaviors. They’re often involved in hands-on interventions, especially with individuals on the autism spectrum or those needing structured behavioral support. So while there’s overlap, the training, tools, and goals can differ significantly.
No, they do not. Applied behavior analysts do not use medications, psychosurgery, or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to change behavior. Those procedures are strictly medical in nature and are typically administered by licensed physicians in psychiatric settings. Behavior analysts are not trained in these interventions, and they are not part of applied behavior analysis practice.
That said, some behavior analysts may work in hospital environments where patients have received such treatments—but their own work remains grounded in behavioral principles, data collection, and environmental strategies, not medical interventions.
Very rarely—and only under strict conditions. While early behaviorists like B.F. Skinner firmly opposed the use of punishment and emphasized positive strategies; it’s important to acknowledge that some forms of mild physical deterrents have historically been used in very specific, high-risk situations—and only when all other methods have failed.
For example, if a child with autism engages in severe self-injury—such as repeatedly hitting themselves in the eyes to the point of risking blindness—and positive reinforcement, redirection, or extinction procedures have not worked, a mild water mist may be used as a last resort to interrupt the behavior. This is not painful and is designed solely to protect the child from harm.
Stronger measures like brief, mild electric stimulation are almost never used today. In the rare cases where they are, they are subject to extensive legal, ethical, and clinical oversight—and must meet the highest safety standards. These methods are not part of everyday autism care, and most ABA providers never use them at all.
At its core, applied behavior analysis is focused on reinforcement, support, and environmental change—not punishment. The field continues to evolve with growing emphasis on compassionate, trauma-informed approaches that respect the dignity and autonomy of every individual, especially those with autism.
Yes, and its growth continues—despite lingering misconceptions. While some misunderstandings still exist—often due to outdated portrayals in media or textbooks—behavior analysis has gained strong recognition over the past several decades, especially in areas like autism support, developmental disabilities, and brain injury rehabilitation.
Unfortunately, misuse of the term “behavior analysis” by unqualified individuals has also led to confusion. In response, the field has taken clear steps to protect families and ensure accountability. ABAI (Association for Behavior Analysis International) has established rigorous standards for university training programs, and the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB) sets professional standards to certify qualified practitioners.
Despite early skepticism, applied behavior analysis (ABA) is now widely regarded as the gold standard for supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual or developmental disabilities. Its success in improving educational outcomes and reducing challenging behaviors has led to increased adoption across clinics, classrooms, and even global health systems.
Today, ABAI has over 5,000 members across nearly 50 countries, with affiliated chapters reaching over 13,000 professionals worldwide. The field continues to grow—not just in reach, but in depth, compassion, and innovation.