BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS AND COMMUNITY PRACTICE - A REVIEW

Behavior analysis has made major contributions to social work practice on the individual, family, group, and organizational levels. Combinin g recent advances in behavioral theory, particularly Skinner's concept of cultural practices and Glenn's work related to sets of inter-locki ng contingencies, with a review of the available empirical literature, behavior-analytic principles can now clearly begin to provide guidanc e for practice at a community level. In this article, applications of these principles for increasing the level and quality of community par ticipation, building prosocial community practices, and reducing undes irable community practices are examined. Of particular importance is t he emerging evidence for the need to emphasize strategies focusing on positive reinforcement to shape and maintain desirable actions, as opp osed to coercive efforts to suppress undesirable ones. Essential skill s of behavioral practice also are identified, as are critical directio ns for further conceptual development, practice, and research.