The Purpose of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis: Description, Prediction, and Control

Written By Hilary Cline

Applied Behavior Analysis is not built on opinion, intuition, or “what feels right.” It is grounded in science.

In this foundational training, Hilary Cline, MS, BCBA, LBA, explores the three core purposes of science in ABA: description, prediction, and control. Drawing from seminal research including Baer, Wolf, & Risley (1968), Iwata et al. (1982/1994), and Horner et al. (2005), this episode breaks down how scientific reasoning protects clients, strengthens clinical decision-making, and ensures ethical practice.

Listeners will learn how to:

  • Convert vague behavioral labels into measurable operational definitions

  • Identify lawful patterns through antecedent-behavior-consequence analysis

  • Understand experimental control within single-case design

  • Recognize the ethical risks of opinion-based practice

This episode emphasizes why ABA must remain analytic, data-driven, and accountable — because in ethical clinical practice, we don’t treat vibes. We treat behavior.

Supporting growth, one measurable behavior at a time.

https://youtu.be/xMz7Kx-TWNM

Hilary Cline
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