Functional Relations

S1E6 - Evidence-based Practice and Social Validity: Can We Have Both?

Functional Relations

Show Notes

This episode Zach and Caleb discuss the ethics surrounding the balance of social validity with empirically-supported interventions. They are joined by Dr. Pat Friman, Dr. Bob Ross, and Dr. Paulo Guilhardi. 2 Ethics CEs are available for this episode. You can purchase them at https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com If you feel that our podcast is a valuable contribution to the field of ABA, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/functionalrelationspodcast Things to check out from the episode: BACB Professional and Ethical Compliance Codes- 2.09, 4.01, 4.03, 4.06, 4.07, 6.02 https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/BACB-Compliance-Code-english_190318.pdf Literature on "therapeutic alliance" and "delivering bad news". References: Allen, K. D., & Warzak, W. J. (2000). The problem of parental nonadherence in clinical behavior analysis: Effective treatment is not enough. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 33, 373-391. Bannerman, D. J., Sheldon, J. B., Sherman, J. A., & Harchik, A. E. (1990). Balancing the right to habilitation with the right to personal liberties: The rights of people with developmental disabilities to eat too many doughnuts and take a nap. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 23, 79-89. Lang, R., O'Reilly, M., Healy, O., Rispoli, M., Lydon, H., Streusand, W., ... & Didden, R. (2012). Sensory integration therapy for autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 6, 1004-1018. Leaf, J. B., Oppenheim-Leaf, M. L., Leaf, R. B., Taubman, M., McEachin, J., Parker, T., ... & Mountjoy, T. (2015). What is the proof? A methodological review of studies that have utilized social stories. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 50, 127.Wolf, M. M. (1978). Social validity: The case for subjective measurement or how applied behavior analysis is finding its heart. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 11, 203-214.

More from Functional Relations

Oct 5, 2026

In this episode, Caleb interviews Zach about his research and publication on procrastination and discusses the applied application of the results. 1 General CEU (BACB, IBAO, and/or QABA) is available for this episode. You can purchase it at https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com Become a member to get access to our entire library of CEs and access exclusive video podcasts and behind the scenes content for $79/yr. https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com/subscription/membership References: Bird, Z., & Chase, P. N. (2021). Student pacing in a master's level course: Procrastination, preference, and performance. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 54(3), 1220-1234.

Sep 1, 2026

In this episode, Zach and Caleb discuss a recent publication on Pavlovian Conditioning in classroom w/ Dr. Rick Colombo. 1 General CEU (BACB, IBAO, and/or QABA) is available for this episode. You can purchase it at https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com Become a member to get access to our entire library of CEs and access exclusive video podcasts and behind the scenes content for $79/yr. https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com/subscription/membership Things to check out from the episode: Dr. Domjan Youtube video: The Psychology of the Smart Phone

Aug 1, 2026

In this episode, Zach and Caleb discuss a recent paper on radical behaviorism and the dissemination of those ideas with Dr. Matt Normand. 1.5 General CEU (BACB, IBAO, and/or QABA) is available for this episode. You can purchase them at https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com Become a member to get access to our entire library of CEs and access exclusive behind the scenes content for $79/yr. https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com/subscription/membership Dr. Matt Normand Substack References: Johnston, J. M. (2014). Radical behaviorism for ABA practitioners. Sloan Publishing. Johnston, J. M., & Ahearn, W. H. (2026). The status of radical behaviorism. Perspectives on Behavior Science, 1-16. Moore, J. (2008). Conceptual foundations of radical behaviorism. Schlinger, H. D., & Normand, M. P. (2026). Radical Behaviorism: A Primer for the Profession and the Person. Perspectives on Behavior Science, 1-19.

Jul 1, 2026

In this episode, Zach and Caleb discuss the distinction between operant and respondent behavior with Dr. Michael Domjan. 1.5 General CEU (BACB, IBAO, and/or QABA) is available for this episode. You can purchase them at https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com Become a member to get access to our entire library of CEs and access exclusive behind the scenes content for $79/yr. https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com/subscription/membership Things to check out from the episode: Dr. Domjan's Youtube channel: Introduction to Learning and Behavior: Key Concepts Dr. Domjan's textbooks discussed during the episode: The Essentials of Conditioning and Learning, Fifth Edition Amazon.com: The Principles of Learning and Behavior: 9781285088563: Domjan, Michael P.: Books

Jun 1, 2026

In this episode, Zach and Caleb discuss analyzing teacher-student interactions with Dr. Corey Stocco (BCBA-D) and Molly Dwyer (BCBA). 1.5 General CEU (BACB, IBAO, and/or QABA) is available for this episode. You can purchase it at https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com Become a member to get access to our entire library of CEs and access exclusive behind the scenes content for $79/yr. https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com/subscription/membership Things to check out from the episode: Learn more about the Nurtured Heart Approach Nurtured Heart Institute | Nurtured Heart Approach training References: Athens, E. S., & Vollmer, T. R. (2010). An investigation of differential reinforcement of alternative behavior without extinction. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 43(4), 569-589. Patterson, G. R. (2002). The early development of coercive family process. In J. B. Reid, G. R. Patterson, & J. Snyder (Eds.), Antisocial behavior in children and adolescents: A developmental analysis and model for intervention (pp. 25–44). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Sidman, M. (1989). Coercion and its fallout. Boston: Authors cooperative. Stocco, C. S., & Thompson, R. H. (2015). Contingency analysis of caregiver behavior: Implications for parent training and future directions. Journal of applied behavior analysis, 48(2), 417-435. Vollmer, T. R., Peters, K. P., Kronfli, F. R., Lloveras, L. A., & Ibañez, V. F. (2020). On the definition of differential reinforcement of alternative behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 53(3), 1299-1303.

See all episodes →