Introducing “In Their Own Words” Special Series

Preserving the Voices of Behavior Analysis Pioneers

Behavior analysis is a dynamic and evolving field, but its growth is rooted in the contributions of pioneers whose insights shaped modern practices. Without efforts to record and share their knowledge, foundational lessons could be lost. Enter “In Their Own Words”, a special series published in Behavior Analysis in Practice (Peterson, 2024). This series seeks to preserve the voices of key figures in the field and ensure their wisdom remains accessible to future generations.

The Origin: A Unique Seminar Series

The idea for this special series comes from an innovative educational program at Ohio State University—the **Teleconference Seminar (TCS)**—pioneered by Dr. William Heward in 1988.

How the TCS Worked

1. Guest faculty members sent in their research publications and curriculum vitae in advance.
2. Graduate students thoroughly reviewed these materials and created structured interview questions.
3. Each session featured a live seminar where students engaged in phone-in conversations with experts in behavior analysis.

This format allowed students to gain firsthand insights from leading researchers—a rare opportunity to directly interact with figures whose work appeared in textbooks and research journals.

Notable Guests in the TCS Archives

Over more than a decade, TCS featured dozens of prominent behavior analysts, including:

• Nathan Azrin – Known for developing the token economy system.
• Don Baer – A founder of applied behavior analysis (ABA).
• Beatrice Barrett – A pioneer in behavioral research in developmental disabilities.
• Sidney Bijou – Key contributor to behavioral child psychology.
• Brian Iwata – Leader in functional analysis of problem behavior.
• Montrose Wolf – The originator of the Good Behavior Game and the term social validity.
• Ivar Lovaas – Early developer of ABA-based interventions for autism.

These sessions captured critical perspectives on both theoretical and applied behavior analysis, offering valuable lessons for practitioners and researchers today.

Why This History Was at Risk of Being Lost

Challenges of Early Distance Learning

While today’s technology makes remote learning seamless, the 1980s and 1990s were a different story. The TCS relied on:

• Polycom speakerphones to facilitate group discussions.
• Mailed-in materials sent ahead of each session.
• Audio cassette recordings to archive discussions.

Unlike modern video conferencing, podcasts, or cloud storage, these early recordings were fragile. More than 100 sessions were captured on cassette tapes, but shifting technology put this knowledge at risk of being lost over time.

Bringing These Voices Back: The "In Their Own Words" Series

Recognizing the importance of these conversations, Dr. Heward proposed a solution—reviving the insights from TCS for today’s generation of behavior analysts. As detailed in Behavior Analysis in Practice (Peterson, 2024), the “In Their Own Words” series aims to:

• Transcribe and publish key interviews from past TCS sessions.
• Highlight foundational lessons in both research and applied settings.
• Ensure that newer generations of behavior analysts can learn directly from pioneers who shaped the field.

This project provides a rare opportunity to hear directly from those who contributed to the foundation of our science, in their original words and ideas.

Why Studying Behavior Analysis History Matters

Understanding history is essential for any discipline—it prevents repeated mistakes, deepens knowledge, and provides context for current practices. In behavior analysis, studying historical contributions helps:

1. Understanding the Evolution of ABA Practices

Without historical context, modern practitioners might not know why certain interventions exist or how they evolved from earlier research.

2. Avoiding the Reinvention of the Wheel

Learning from past research prevents behavior analysts from repeating ineffective methods.

3. Honoring and Learning from Foundational Contributions

Behavior analysts today benefit from the groundbreaking work of early pioneers, and studying their contributions ensures their work continues to inform practice.

Key Historical Contributions to Behavior Analysis

To illustrate the importance of history, consider these 10 key figures and their contributions:

1. Fred Keller – Developed the Personalized System of Instruction (PSI).
2. B.F. Skinner – Advanced radical behaviorism and laid the foundation for modern behavior analysis.
3. Murray Sidman – Pioneer in stimulus equivalence research.
4. Jack Michael – Developed the concept of motivating operations.
5. Todd Risley – Conducted landmark research on early language development and parent-child interactions.
6. Ivar Lovaas – Pioneered early intensive behavior interventions for autism.
7. Donald Baer, Montrose Wolf, & Todd Risley – Defined applied behavior analysis in their 1968 paper.
8. Beatrice Barrett – Expanded research in severe developmental disabilities.
9. Nathan Azrin – Developed the token economy and community-based interventions.
10. Sidney Bijou – Laid the foundation for behavioral child development theories.

Conclusion: Keeping the Voices of Pioneers Accessible

The “In Their Own Words” series provides a crucial opportunity to preserve and share historical knowledge in behavior analysis. By reviving these interviews and making them accessible, the field ensures that:

• Lessons from past experts remain available to students and practitioners.
• Historical insights continue to guide modern advancements in behavior analysis.
• The evolution of ABA is documented for future generations.

For more details on the "In Their Own Words" special series, read the full article in Behavior Analysis in Practice:

📖 Peterson, S.M. (2024). "In Their Own Words" Special Series. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 17, 657–659. DOI: 10.1007/s40617-024-00993-3.