There is No Such Thing as a Bad Behavior Analyst (APFCON 2023) | BCBA CEU | Learning | 0.5 HourÂ
Dr. Pat Friman argues that the broader culture does not truly value the work of behavior analysts, contrasting societal investment in sports and entertainment with limited recognition for service professions.
He presents his central position: “there’s no such thing as a bad behavior analyst.” He clarifies this is a position rather than an empirical assertion and distinguishes between doing behavior analysis poorly and being a “bad” person. He describes behavior analysis as a way of thinking about behavior, not merely a treatment, and frames lower skill as a learning curve rather than an ontological defect.
The speaker recommends focusing on what behavior analysts share in common: serving as ambassadors for a powerful idea that attributes behavior to environmental circumstances rather than blame; reducing blame in the world; demonstrating tolerance for human developmental diversity; and embodying a fundamental desire to help. He illustrates the transformative effect of understanding circumstances through anecdotes, including a teacher who shifts from punishment to compassion upon learning contextual factors.
He cautions against judging behavior analysts relative to each other and against overextending derived relational responding—describing it as “making stuff up” beyond direct contingencies. He concludes that behavior analysts carry a “light,” and that collective commitment to this way of thinking can illuminate “dark places” in the world.
