Pub Date : 2023-10-01DOI: 10.1177/23727322231190588
Lisa M. Gatzke-Kopp, Danielle R. Rice
Despite significant declines in population smoking rates and effective policies to ban smoking in public places, environmental exposure to nicotine remains prevalent among children. Environmental smoke exposure affects children's respiratory, immune, and metabolic health but is also implicated in children's cognitive and behavioral development. Nicotine's chemical properties mimic naturally occurring chemicals in the brain. When nicotine is present during brain development (prenatally through the first five years of life), it alters developmental processes that affect systems involved in cognitive control, impulsivity, and sensitivity to rewarding substances, increasing risks for obesity. Because nicotine is the specific toxin underlying these outcomes, vaping is unlikely to be a safer alternative. Given the rise in vaping among young adults generally, and pregnant women specifically, this exposure represents a public health concern that warrants additional attention. Policies including modernized public health messaging and routine screening could reduce children's inadvertent exposure.
{"title":"Nicotine as an Environmental Toxin: Implications for Children's Health","authors":"Lisa M. Gatzke-Kopp, Danielle R. Rice","doi":"10.1177/23727322231190588","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/23727322231190588","url":null,"abstract":"Despite significant declines in population smoking rates and effective policies to ban smoking in public places, environmental exposure to nicotine remains prevalent among children. Environmental smoke exposure affects children's respiratory, immune, and metabolic health but is also implicated in children's cognitive and behavioral development. Nicotine's chemical properties mimic naturally occurring chemicals in the brain. When nicotine is present during brain development (prenatally through the first five years of life), it alters developmental processes that affect systems involved in cognitive control, impulsivity, and sensitivity to rewarding substances, increasing risks for obesity. Because nicotine is the specific toxin underlying these outcomes, vaping is unlikely to be a safer alternative. Given the rise in vaping among young adults generally, and pregnant women specifically, this exposure represents a public health concern that warrants additional attention. Policies including modernized public health messaging and routine screening could reduce children's inadvertent exposure.","PeriodicalId":52185,"journal":{"name":"Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences","volume":"13 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136159646","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-10-01DOI: 10.1177/23727322231197583
Kathleen V. Casto, Justin M. Carré
Recent policies banning or limiting the participation of transgender and intersex women from the women's category of sport have called upon the science of testosterone to justify exclusion and define eligibility criteria. Scientific evidence supports a male advantage in sport, substantial sex differences in circulating testosterone, permanent effects on physiology from its long-term exposure, and a dose-dependent sporting advantage to its exogenous use. Yet, evidence connecting these findings has major gaps. Notably, no direct evidence shows that transgender and intersex women have a systematic sport advantage or that testosterone is the causal link. A brief review covers the relevant societal context, the science of testosterone, and the existing data used to support policies of exclusion. Key complexities, gaps in knowledge, and related ethical concerns all point to the need for more rigorous research.
{"title":"Testosterone, Sex, and Sport","authors":"Kathleen V. Casto, Justin M. Carré","doi":"10.1177/23727322231197583","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/23727322231197583","url":null,"abstract":"Recent policies banning or limiting the participation of transgender and intersex women from the women's category of sport have called upon the science of testosterone to justify exclusion and define eligibility criteria. Scientific evidence supports a male advantage in sport, substantial sex differences in circulating testosterone, permanent effects on physiology from its long-term exposure, and a dose-dependent sporting advantage to its exogenous use. Yet, evidence connecting these findings has major gaps. Notably, no direct evidence shows that transgender and intersex women have a systematic sport advantage or that testosterone is the causal link. A brief review covers the relevant societal context, the science of testosterone, and the existing data used to support policies of exclusion. Key complexities, gaps in knowledge, and related ethical concerns all point to the need for more rigorous research.","PeriodicalId":52185,"journal":{"name":"Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences","volume":"50 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136160227","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-10-01DOI: 10.1177/23727322231195273
Brandon S. Schermitzler, Thomas J. Preston, Richard J. Macatee
The prevalence of Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) is increasing in the United States, likely related to increasing cultural and legal acceptance of cannabis. While most cannabis users will not develop a CUD, certain behaviors may increase risk. For example, smoking to cope with anxiety or depressive disorders is associated with higher rates of cannabis use. Users who smoke to cope with these internalizing disorders (anxiety, depression) increase the addictive potential of cannabis. Systems that potentially maintain problematic use in people with internalizing disorders include the reward processing and the stress responsivity systems. Both exhibit neurobiological changes after chronic heavy cannabis use and are affected across internalizing disorders. The shared importance of these systems may warrant several recommendations for policy and practice. Some reexamine cannabis-related policy, invest in local communities, and improve cannabis education.
{"title":"Risk for Cannabis Use Disorder in People Who Use Cannabis to Cope with Internalizing Disorders: Implications for Policy and Practice","authors":"Brandon S. Schermitzler, Thomas J. Preston, Richard J. Macatee","doi":"10.1177/23727322231195273","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/23727322231195273","url":null,"abstract":"The prevalence of Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) is increasing in the United States, likely related to increasing cultural and legal acceptance of cannabis. While most cannabis users will not develop a CUD, certain behaviors may increase risk. For example, smoking to cope with anxiety or depressive disorders is associated with higher rates of cannabis use. Users who smoke to cope with these internalizing disorders (anxiety, depression) increase the addictive potential of cannabis. Systems that potentially maintain problematic use in people with internalizing disorders include the reward processing and the stress responsivity systems. Both exhibit neurobiological changes after chronic heavy cannabis use and are affected across internalizing disorders. The shared importance of these systems may warrant several recommendations for policy and practice. Some reexamine cannabis-related policy, invest in local communities, and improve cannabis education.","PeriodicalId":52185,"journal":{"name":"Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136093375","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-10-01DOI: 10.1177/23727322231196498
Edelyn Verona, Melanie Bozzay, Craig J. Bryan
The study and prevention of firearm violence are clearly in the realm of psychology, yet the potential contributions of the biobehavioral sciences to the study of firearm violence are underexplored. Most biobehavioral research has identified individual-level vulnerabilities for violence more broadly, with less focus on how biological risk manifests in the context of firearm culture in particular. Reviewing the literature leads to two main insights: first, the nature of firearm acquisition in the United States (easy access, self-protection motives, and exaggerated perceptions of threat) can itself trigger biobehavioral processes (e.g., threat disruptions in cognitive control) representing a risk for firearm violence. Second, cutting-edge research using digital and biological phenotyping represents a potentially useful approach for tracking and forecasting the momentary risk of firearm violence among high-risk firearm carriers. Policy recommendations informed by the reviewed research can help improve prevention and intervention efforts.
{"title":"Contributions of Biobehavioral Sciences to the Study and Prevention of Firearm Violence: Perceived Threat, Cognitive Control, and Firearm Culture","authors":"Edelyn Verona, Melanie Bozzay, Craig J. Bryan","doi":"10.1177/23727322231196498","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/23727322231196498","url":null,"abstract":"The study and prevention of firearm violence are clearly in the realm of psychology, yet the potential contributions of the biobehavioral sciences to the study of firearm violence are underexplored. Most biobehavioral research has identified individual-level vulnerabilities for violence more broadly, with less focus on how biological risk manifests in the context of firearm culture in particular. Reviewing the literature leads to two main insights: first, the nature of firearm acquisition in the United States (easy access, self-protection motives, and exaggerated perceptions of threat) can itself trigger biobehavioral processes (e.g., threat disruptions in cognitive control) representing a risk for firearm violence. Second, cutting-edge research using digital and biological phenotyping represents a potentially useful approach for tracking and forecasting the momentary risk of firearm violence among high-risk firearm carriers. Policy recommendations informed by the reviewed research can help improve prevention and intervention efforts.","PeriodicalId":52185,"journal":{"name":"Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences","volume":"105 10 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136160214","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-10-01DOI: 10.1177/23727322231196299
Emily R. Perkins, Daniel E. Bradford, Edelyn Verona, Roy H. Hamilton, Keanan J. Joyner
Neuroscience evidence is appealing as a means to increase “objectivity” and reduce racial disparities in the criminal legal system. However, increasing reliance on defendants’ brain data may instead maintain racial disparities while rendering biases invisible. First, neurobiological data are not any more objective than traditional psychological measures. Second, the complexity and inaccessibility of neuroscience undermines public understanding of what such data can actually say. Third, existing methodologies have limitations when working with hair types and skin colors that are socially coded as Black; these phenotypic biases reduce both the reliability of individual data and the representativeness of comparison groups, skewing interpretations of defendants’ brain data. More research is needed before neuroscience evidence can be considered more probative than prejudicial.
{"title":"The Intersection of Racism and Neuroscience Technology: A Cautionary Tale for the Criminal Legal System","authors":"Emily R. Perkins, Daniel E. Bradford, Edelyn Verona, Roy H. Hamilton, Keanan J. Joyner","doi":"10.1177/23727322231196299","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/23727322231196299","url":null,"abstract":"Neuroscience evidence is appealing as a means to increase “objectivity” and reduce racial disparities in the criminal legal system. However, increasing reliance on defendants’ brain data may instead maintain racial disparities while rendering biases invisible. First, neurobiological data are not any more objective than traditional psychological measures. Second, the complexity and inaccessibility of neuroscience undermines public understanding of what such data can actually say. Third, existing methodologies have limitations when working with hair types and skin colors that are socially coded as Black; these phenotypic biases reduce both the reliability of individual data and the representativeness of comparison groups, skewing interpretations of defendants’ brain data. More research is needed before neuroscience evidence can be considered more probative than prejudicial.","PeriodicalId":52185,"journal":{"name":"Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences","volume":"9 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136160221","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-03-01DOI: 10.1177/23727322221144647
Sonya Kim
The WHO argues that a pharmacy-first approach should no longer be the reflexive treatment for mental health diagnoses. Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) demonstrably treats various conditions—especially effective at regulating emotion, particularly managing and alleviating anger, stress, anxiety, and depression, common co-morbid diagnoses for rehabilitation medicine patients. HRVB trains users to study their biofeedback data in real time, alter bodily functions previously believed to be automatic, and garner health benefits. Despite convenience, relatively low cost, and empowering patients to manage their own symptoms, the current lack of reimbursability, and the lack of Phase III RCTs limit HRVB application. Ideally, the confidence of practitioners, patients, and insurers would follow the known efficacy of HRVB for the treatment of mental health conditions.
{"title":"Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback for Mental Health Treatment: A Policy Brief","authors":"Sonya Kim","doi":"10.1177/23727322221144647","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/23727322221144647","url":null,"abstract":"The WHO argues that a pharmacy-first approach should no longer be the reflexive treatment for mental health diagnoses. Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) demonstrably treats various conditions—especially effective at regulating emotion, particularly managing and alleviating anger, stress, anxiety, and depression, common co-morbid diagnoses for rehabilitation medicine patients. HRVB trains users to study their biofeedback data in real time, alter bodily functions previously believed to be automatic, and garner health benefits. Despite convenience, relatively low cost, and empowering patients to manage their own symptoms, the current lack of reimbursability, and the lack of Phase III RCTs limit HRVB application. Ideally, the confidence of practitioners, patients, and insurers would follow the known efficacy of HRVB for the treatment of mental health conditions.","PeriodicalId":52185,"journal":{"name":"Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences","volume":"10 1","pages":"90 - 95"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2023-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43045449","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-03-01Epub Date: 2023-03-15DOI: 10.1177/23727322231152451
William S Doyle, Sally L Huskinson
Substance use disorder (SUD) and drug overdose deaths represent major economic, health, and safety issues in the United States. The psychology of uncertainty provides a mechanism for understanding, reducing, and controlling the damage from substance misuse. Illicit drugs (such as heroin or cocaine) are uncertain in their availability, quality, and acquisition (the time and effort required to obtain them) compared with nondrug-related alternatives (such as consumable goods, hobbies, or paychecks). Furthermore, the severity and likelihood of negative outcomes associated with drug use likewise are uncertain. Such uncertainties worsen substance use outcomes. The current review conveys what is known about the impact of uncertainty on substance use: laboratory investigations of uncertain time and effort required to obtain a substance and uncertain drug quality show uncertainty exacerbates harm. Furthermore, uncertain negative outcomes are not likely to deter substance use in individuals with a SUD. Finally, several policy implications include access to agonist medications; creating a safer drug supply; access to clean syringes/needles, naloxone, and safe-injection sites; and ending incarceration for substance use.
{"title":"Environmental Uncertainty and Substance Use Disorders: A Behavior Analytic Perspective.","authors":"William S Doyle, Sally L Huskinson","doi":"10.1177/23727322231152451","DOIUrl":"10.1177/23727322231152451","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Substance use disorder (SUD) and drug overdose deaths represent major economic, health, and safety issues in the United States. The psychology of uncertainty provides a mechanism for understanding, reducing, and controlling the damage from substance misuse. Illicit drugs (such as heroin or cocaine) are uncertain in their availability, quality, and acquisition (the time and effort required to obtain them) compared with nondrug-related alternatives (such as consumable goods, hobbies, or paychecks). Furthermore, the severity and likelihood of negative outcomes associated with drug use likewise are uncertain. Such uncertainties worsen substance use outcomes. The current review conveys what is known about the impact of uncertainty on substance use: laboratory investigations of uncertain time and effort required to obtain a substance and uncertain drug quality show uncertainty exacerbates harm. Furthermore, uncertain negative outcomes are not likely to deter substance use in individuals with a SUD. Finally, several policy implications include access to agonist medications; creating a safer drug supply; access to clean syringes/needles, naloxone, and safe-injection sites; and ending incarceration for substance use.</p>","PeriodicalId":52185,"journal":{"name":"Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences","volume":"10 1","pages":"96-103"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2023-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10978010/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47367440","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-03-01DOI: 10.1177/23727322221144652
Justin D. Lane, Jennifer A. Brown
Young children's social communication is key to their development and well-being. Naturalistic interventions can promote social communication in young children. Anyone concerned about children's social communication—families, professionals, planning teams, referral sources, funders, and policymakers—should understand the complementary roles of behavior analysts (BCBAs) and speech-language pathologists (SLPs), who both utilize naturalistic interventions. Resistance to collaboration may be rooted in broader conversations about differing theories of language development. BCBAs and SLPs likely have similar overarching goals and expectations, but collaboration has been unfortunately rare, due to field-specific training and recommendations. BCBAs and SLPs who adopt a unified theory of practice will place children, families, and educators at the center of all decisions. An interdisciplinary model rooted in research about naturalistic interventions, collaboration, and equitable practices that incorporates feedback from providers and researchers in each field, could address challenges. This model highlights (a) understanding key tenets from each respective field, (b) developing interdisciplinary teams, (c) measuring and evaluating collaborative planning, and (d) promoting mutual respect and equity. Children benefit when professionals collaborate.
{"title":"Child Communication Research and Practice: Collaborative Roles for Behavior Analysts and Speech-Language Pathologists","authors":"Justin D. Lane, Jennifer A. Brown","doi":"10.1177/23727322221144652","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/23727322221144652","url":null,"abstract":"Young children's social communication is key to their development and well-being. Naturalistic interventions can promote social communication in young children. Anyone concerned about children's social communication—families, professionals, planning teams, referral sources, funders, and policymakers—should understand the complementary roles of behavior analysts (BCBAs) and speech-language pathologists (SLPs), who both utilize naturalistic interventions. Resistance to collaboration may be rooted in broader conversations about differing theories of language development. BCBAs and SLPs likely have similar overarching goals and expectations, but collaboration has been unfortunately rare, due to field-specific training and recommendations. BCBAs and SLPs who adopt a unified theory of practice will place children, families, and educators at the center of all decisions. An interdisciplinary model rooted in research about naturalistic interventions, collaboration, and equitable practices that incorporates feedback from providers and researchers in each field, could address challenges. This model highlights (a) understanding key tenets from each respective field, (b) developing interdisciplinary teams, (c) measuring and evaluating collaborative planning, and (d) promoting mutual respect and equity. Children benefit when professionals collaborate.","PeriodicalId":52185,"journal":{"name":"Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences","volume":"10 1","pages":"104 - 112"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2023-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49486235","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-03-01DOI: 10.1177/23727322221144649
J. Pek, Daniel J. Bauer
Methodology serves an essential role in advancing psychological science. However, meta-science research points to a leaky translational pipeline in which substantive research often fails to utilize recommended methodological practices. Various explanations for this problem include valuing the development of methods over methodology (making tools over using tools), incentives for methodological research, incentives for promoting pedagogy in methodology, an insufficient number of quantitative methodologists in the discipline, and scarcity of resources for substantive researchers seeking more advanced methodological training. Policy makers might consider several recommendations that could mitigate extant leaks in the translational pipeline.
{"title":"How Can We Move Advanced Methodology into Practice More Effectively?","authors":"J. Pek, Daniel J. Bauer","doi":"10.1177/23727322221144649","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/23727322221144649","url":null,"abstract":"Methodology serves an essential role in advancing psychological science. However, meta-science research points to a leaky translational pipeline in which substantive research often fails to utilize recommended methodological practices. Various explanations for this problem include valuing the development of methods over methodology (making tools over using tools), incentives for methodological research, incentives for promoting pedagogy in methodology, an insufficient number of quantitative methodologists in the discipline, and scarcity of resources for substantive researchers seeking more advanced methodological training. Policy makers might consider several recommendations that could mitigate extant leaks in the translational pipeline.","PeriodicalId":52185,"journal":{"name":"Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences","volume":"10 1","pages":"3 - 10"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2023-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48638536","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-03-01DOI: 10.1177/23727322221147321
D. Robertson, Martha Pelaez
Behavior analysis often operates at the level of individual behavior depending on reinforcement contingencies. Here, a behavior analytic perspective addresses the challenge of connecting research to organizations’ policy and practice in order to improve performance regarding the organizations’ strategic objectives. In colleges and universities, three potentially overlapping approaches are plausible: (a) applying published scholarly research literature, (b) contracting external vendors of predictive analytics, and (c) integrating internal researchers/practitioners. This article discusses a model that emphasizes the third approach—internal researcher/practitioners—and that focuses on fundamental concepts related to contingencies (consequences) and rule-governed behavior. The model's use is illustrated in a case study: Florida International University, a large, public, metropolitan, Research I university, located in Miami, Florida. The application of the model appears to relate to significant and rapid improvement in the university's targeted performance metrics (e.g., student success as measured by variables such as students’ retention and on-time graduation).
{"title":"Connecting Research, Policy, and Practice in Colleges and Universities: An Internal Researcher/Practitioner Model","authors":"D. Robertson, Martha Pelaez","doi":"10.1177/23727322221147321","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/23727322221147321","url":null,"abstract":"Behavior analysis often operates at the level of individual behavior depending on reinforcement contingencies. Here, a behavior analytic perspective addresses the challenge of connecting research to organizations’ policy and practice in order to improve performance regarding the organizations’ strategic objectives. In colleges and universities, three potentially overlapping approaches are plausible: (a) applying published scholarly research literature, (b) contracting external vendors of predictive analytics, and (c) integrating internal researchers/practitioners. This article discusses a model that emphasizes the third approach—internal researcher/practitioners—and that focuses on fundamental concepts related to contingencies (consequences) and rule-governed behavior. The model's use is illustrated in a case study: Florida International University, a large, public, metropolitan, Research I university, located in Miami, Florida. The application of the model appears to relate to significant and rapid improvement in the university's targeted performance metrics (e.g., student success as measured by variables such as students’ retention and on-time graduation).","PeriodicalId":52185,"journal":{"name":"Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences","volume":"10 1","pages":"18 - 24"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2023-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43109319","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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