Social Justice and the Political Organization of Behavior Analysts

Introduction

Behavior analysis has historically focused on individual behavior, but there is growing recognition that systemic issues—such as economic inequality and lack of diversity—must also be addressed. Social justice is a crucial component of an equitable society, and behavior analysts have a responsibility to engage in efforts that promote inclusivity and access.

The article "Social Justice and the Political Organization of Behavior Analysts" by Perkoski, Dahás, Hamilton, and Rodrigues (2024) examines the work of the Brazilian Association for Behavioral Psychology and Medicine (ABPMC) to promote social justice in 2017-2018. The study highlights challenges and successful initiatives aimed at making the field more accessible and representative.

This blog post breaks down key insights from the article, including the historical context of ABPMC, barriers to inclusivity, and actions taken to improve diversity in behavior analysis.

Background on ABPMC

The Brazilian Association for Behavioral Psychology and Medicine (ABPMC) was founded in 1991 to advance behavior analysis in Brazil. The organization is composed of professionals from diverse sectors, including:

• Psychology
• Education
• Healthcare
• Organizational settings

ABPMC plays a vital role in maintaining the professional and scientific development of behavior analysis in Brazil. It does this through:

• Hosting annual scientific conferences
• Overseeing accreditation processes
• Organizing regional and national scientific events
• Publishing peer-reviewed journals

Despite its contributions, ABPMC has historically faced challenges in promoting diversity and inclusion. The 2017-2018 administration made social justice a priority and implemented concrete steps to address systemic inequalities.

Challenges in Promoting Social Justice at ABPMC

While ABPMC had made strides in advancing behavior analysis, several barriers limited its inclusivity:

1. Discontinuation of Social Policies

Each new administration often discontinued social policies already in place, leading to inconsistency in efforts to promote diversity.

2. Economic Elitism

The high cost of conferences and limited funding opportunities made it difficult for students and professionals from underprivileged backgrounds to participate.

3. Centralization of Conferences

Most ABPMC conferences were held in wealthier southeastern regions, making it challenging for professionals from other parts of the country to attend.

4. Lack of Social and Political Topics

Discussions at ABPMC events rarely covered topics such as social justice, public policy, or systemic inequality, despite their importance to the field.

5. Underrepresentation of Marginalized Groups

Women, racial minorities, and other underrepresented groups faced barriers to participation and leadership roles within ABPMC.

6. Limited Transparency in Decision-Making

There was a lack of clear communication regarding institutional policies and administration decisions, making it harder for members to advocate for change.

Key Actions Taken to Address Systemic Inequalities

To overcome these barriers, ABPMC implemented several initiatives aimed at making behavior analysis more inclusive.

1. Ensuring Continuity in Administrative Policies

• Early involvement of new board members to maintain existing policies.
• Development of transition manuals to document procedures and long-term goals.
• Open forums for discussions to ensure transparency in policy decisions.

2. Mitigating Economic Barriers: Increasing Accessibility

To make conferences more affordable, ABPMC introduced:

• Volunteer monitor programs, which allowed students to attend events for free in exchange for working at them.
• The "Adopt an Undergraduate" sponsorship initiative, where established professionals sponsored students from low-income backgrounds.
• Group registration discounts (5%-10%), reducing costs for attendees registering together.
• Discounted registration fees for recent graduates to help new professionals enter the field.

3. Decentralizing Conference Locations for Greater Inclusion

A major issue was the concentration of events in southeastern Brazil. To address this, ABPMC:

• Committed to holding conferences in public institutions outside São Paulo.
• Offered free registrations for students at host universities to encourage participation.
• Observed increased regional attendance when events were relocated.

4. Promoting Social and Political Themes in Conference Programs

ABPMC introduced a Social Justice and Public Policy Symposium covering important issues, such as:

• Behavior analysis and sustainability
• Behavioral perspectives on marginalized communities
• The role of behavior analysts in public policy

This marked a significant shift toward integrating social-political discussions into behavior analysis.

What Can Behavior Analysts Learn from This?

The efforts made by ABPMC demonstrate how professional organizations can take meaningful action toward social justice and inclusion. Behavior analysts worldwide can adopt similar strategies:

1. Advocate for Systematic Change

• Encourage professional organizations to maintain continuity in equity efforts.
• Push for transparency in decision-making and policy creation.

2. Reduce Economic Barriers

• Provide scholarships, sponsorships, and registration discounts to low-income individuals.
• Create volunteer opportunities that allow students to attend events at minimal or no cost.

3. Promote Diverse Leadership and Participation

• Advocate for greater representation of women, racial minorities, and other underrepresented groups in leadership positions.
• Ensure organizational policies actively promote diversity and inclusion.

4. Address Social and Political Issues in Behavior Analysis

• Include equity-focused discussions at conferences and academic events.
• Encourage research on socioeconomic barriers, systemic discrimination, and inclusive practices.

By implementing these strategies, behavior analysts can extend their impact beyond individual behavior to systemic change, ultimately making the field more accessible and meaningful to all communities.

Conclusion

The Brazilian Association for Behavioral Psychology and Medicine (ABPMC) serves as a powerful example of an organization taking steps to promote social justice, despite challenges in maintaining continuity and dismantling systemic barriers. Through financial accessibility efforts, decentralization of conferences, and increased focus on social-political issues, ABPMC has demonstrated that institutional change is possible when organizations commit to inclusivity.

Behavior analysts around the world should take inspiration from these initiatives and work toward creating a more diverse, accessible, and socially responsible discipline.

For more information, read the full article by Perkoski, Dahás, Hamilton, and Rodrigues (2024) in Behavior Analysis in Practice: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-020-00510-2.