Division Focus: Division 25
Edward K. Morris, PhD, Department of Human Development and Family
Life, University of Kansas, President-Elect of Division 25
Among the APA divisions that advance psychology as a natural
science, the Division for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior is
perhaps unique in its emphasis on behavior as a subject matter in
its own right. This analysis is pursued in three relatively
distinct ways: (a) in the experimental analysis of behavior per se,
which undertakes research on basic behavioral processes in a
temporal and biological context; (b) in applied behavior analysis,
which extends these processes and research procedures to behavior
in a social context, especially to behavior-environment relations
of relatively immediate individual, social, and cultural
importance; and (c) in the conceptual analysis of behavior, which
addresses historical, philosophical, theoretical, and
methodological issues. The Division's membership thereby includes
individuals with interests in areas as diverse as ethology and
psychopharmacology; developmental and social psychology; clinical
psychology, education, and social work; and the history, systems,
and philosophy of psychology.
Purposes and Goals
Division 25 was founded in 1964 to promote basic research in the
experimental analysis of human and nonhuman behavior; to stimulate
the exchange of research information; to encourage the application
of this research to human affairs; and to cooperate with divisions
and disciplines having overlapping interests. The Division also
contributes to APA governance by electing a representative to APA
Council, and through members who serve on APA boards (e.g. the
Board of Directors). In addition, the Division collaborates with
other professional organizations (e.g., the Association for
Behavioral Analysis) and organizational consortia (e.g., the Human
Capital Initiative) to promote the scientific understanding of
behavior and the application of that understanding to the larger
national and international good.
Publications
Since 1965, Division 25 has published a newsletter, The Recorder;
beginning in 1995, it will collaborate with APA on PsycSCAN:
Behavior Analysis and Therapy. Both are sent to members in every
Division membership category. The Recorder is published three
times a year and serves as the Division's archival record of
professional activities. It informs members about news of APA,
Division governance, the Division's APA convention program, and
behavior analysis more generally. PsycSCAN will be published on a
quarterly basis, reprinting the abstracts of articles appearing in
over 25 national and international journals, as well as abstracts
culled from the PsycINFO database.
APA Convention
Division 25 participates in APA's Annual Convention by sponsoring
individual speakers, symposia, and special events (e.g., a division
dinner) and by cosponsoring scientific presentations with other APA
divisions (e.g., experimental, clinical, industrial and
organizational, psychopharmacology and substance abuse, and mental
retardation and developmental disabilities). The Division also
presents four awards at these meetings: (a) the B.F. Skinner New
Researcher Award for important, innovative work conducted by
individuals who are within 5 years of receiving their doctorate,
(b) the Fred S. Keller Behavioral Education Award for distinguished
contributions to education, (c) the Don Hake Basic/Applied Research
Award for individuals whose work spans basic and applied research
and represents the cross-fertilization of the two areas, and (d)
the Experimental Analysis of Behavior Dissertation Award for
individuals whose recent doctoral research has significantly
advanced scientific knowledge in the field of basic behavioral
processes.
Students Welcome
Division 25 invites student affiliates. They may participate in
the Division's APA convention program and attend convention
sessions, the business meeting, and the Division dinner. The
Division is currently seeking additional ways to promote student
involvement in the experimental analysis of behavior and in
Division governance.
Membership
For information on Division 25 membership (regular, associate,
student, or affiliate), please contact Peter A. Lamal, PhD,
Division 25 Membership Chair, Department of Psychology, University
of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223; (704) 547-4789; FAX: (704)
547-3096; Internet: Palamal@unccvm.uncc.edu
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