Moving Forward: Positive Behavior Support and Applied Behavior Analysis
Abstract
A controversy has emerged about the relationship between positive behavior support and applied behavior analysis. Some behavior analysts suggest that positive behavior support and applied behavior analysis are the same (e.g., Carr & Sidener, 2002). Others argue that positive behavior support is harmful to applied behavior analysis (e.g., Johnston, Foxx, Jacobson, Green, & Mulick, 2006). Further, some proponents of positive behavior support describe it as a new science, evolved from yet different than applied behavior analysis (Carr et al., 2002). These varying positions have accompanied confusion among behavior analysts about positive behavior support and its impact on the field. This article attempts to clarify this confusion by presenting one perspective on positive behavior support and its relationship to applied behavior analysis.