Women in Behavior Science: Observations on Life Inside and Outside the Academy

Women in Behavior Science is a unique text that showcases the perspectives, stories, and lessons of notable female behavior scientists at all stages of their careers, with relevance for the field’s many women pursuing careers in academia today.

With the insights of esteemed female behavior scientists from diverse backgrounds, the book brings together their challenges and successes to include their own distinct perspectives on their professional and personal development. The book includes three sections that span the different phases of the academic lifespan from graduate school to retirement and post-retirement. Each section covers a wide range of topics such as expanding one’s work in new and diverse areas; deciding when and how to make transitions; making something out of nothing or very little; navigating relationships with family, children, and life partners both inside and outside of academy; values-based living; how to thrive in competitive environments; and building values-consistent repertoires in settings that may be gender-marginalizing. Presenting a behind-the-scenes view of academia, the authors also provide open and vulnerable narratives about their psychological and socio-cultural experiences, their stories of marginalization, their difficulties with mental and physical health challenges, grief and loss, and caring for others with chronic health conditions.

Reframing the cultural-level recognition of female behavior scientists today, this book is essential reading for graduate and postgraduate students of Behavioral Science, especially for those focusing on diversity and cultural issues. It is also a must-read for professionals interested in understanding the experiences of diverse groups in this field.

Ruth Anne Rehfeldt, PhD, BCBA-D, is currently Dean at Waubonsee Community College. She has a 20+ year history of mentoring graduate students in behavior analysis, and has won a number of awards for her teaching and research while a faculty member at Southern Illinois University. Ruth Anne served as Editor for The Psychological Record, President for the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), and is Fellow of both the Association for Behavior Analysis International and the Association for Contextual Behavior Science. Her research has focused on interventions for teaching language and cognitive skills in a variety of populations and settings.

Traci M. Cihon was an associate professor at the University of North Texas while this volume was completed. She is the current editor of Behavior and Social Issues, an active member of the Behaviorists for Social Responsibility Special Interest Group of ABAI, and maintains an active research agenda related to include culturo behavior science and behavioral systems analysis, social behavior and social action, behavioral approaches to education (e.g., language acquisition, reading instruction, Precision Teaching), and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Erin B. Rasmussen is Professor of Experimental Psychology at Idaho State University. Her research interests are broadly in the area of behavioral economics and behavioral pharmacology. Her specific work, which has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, focuses on behavioral economic factors that influence food-based choice related to obesity in both humans and rats.