The Behavior of Social Justice: Applying Behavior Analysis to Understand and Challenge Injustice

This seminal work utilizes the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) to understand people’s actions. It provides a framework for the study of social injustices that moves beyond just condemning others for their oppressive behaviors, outlining solutions that help work towards a more socially just society.

Divided across three main sections, the book outlines the basic principles of applied behavior analysis, considers key tenets of social justice work, and examines how social justice work can be carried out on an individual and a wider institutional level. The first section focuses on the principles of behavior and how it expounds on the causes, reasons, and purposes behind one’s actions. The subsequent sections pay particular attention to how prejudice, stereotypes, and bias play out in society, and how prejudices and biases make us more likely to participate in social injustices. The third section provides a behavioral description of various -isms and discusses the difference between -isms and individual behaviors, before exploring common -isms. The book concludes with an analysis of the reasons behind their persistence, followed by solutions that can be embraced by people.

Packed with case studies and reflective questions, The Behavior of Social Justice is an essential reading for students and scholars of behavioral sciences, psychology, sociology and education, as well as academics and researchers interested in the study of social justice.

Natalie Parks is the program director of the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program at Saint Louis University, USA. She has been working in the field of applied behavior analysis for over 25 years. She is currently sole or co-owner of four businesses, all dedicated to extending ABA and fighting for social justice.

Francesca Barbieri first started her career as a special education teacher. In graduate school, she explored and developed a passion for DEI and training and development. She is currently working with children with disabilities as a school behavior analyst.

Ryan Sain is an assistant professor at Mary Baldwin University, USA, where he teaches within the applied behavior analysis program. He earned his Ph.D. in 2005 from Washington State University and has been working in many sectors related to ABA since.

Shawn Thomas Capell, is the Owner of Covenant 15:16 LLC, an agency with the mission to ensure all families, regardless of socioeconomic status receive the highest quality care possible. He holds a Master of Science degree in psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

Beverly Kirby, works as an adjunct professor at Mary Baldwin University and West Virginia University, USA. She is one of the first Black women to sell her ABA business. Beverly currently co-owns additional businesses focused on extending ABA into other fields.