When behavior analysts seek to treat behavior that is dangerous or disruptive, they often rely upon a functional analysis (FA) to inform intensive individualized treatment. Dr. Joshua Jessel believes that FAs should be safe, informative, acceptable, and rapid, and has contributed significantly to the development and validation of innovative assessment procedures that exemplify these values. In this episode’s interview, Dr. Jessel discusses his 2019 article from Behavioral Interventions entitled “Does analysis brevity result in loss of control? A consecutive case series of 26 single-session interview informed synthesized contingency analyses.” Through a post hoc analysis of the initial test sessions from 26 interview-informed synthesized contingency analyses Dr. Jessel describes the extent to which control over targeted behavior can be demonstrated empirically in as little as 3, 5, or 10 minutes. Additionally, Dr. Jessel shares his practitioner scientist perspective, frames this article within the world of Applied Behavior Analytic (ABA) practice and scientific inquiry, and helps listeners understand the lessons that can be learned from this line of research.

Featured Guest:

Joshua Jessel, PhD, BCBA-D, Department of Psychology, Queens College Joshua.jessel@qc.cuny.edu

Interviewers:

John Staubitz and Will Martin, VKC TRIAD, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

John.staubitz@vumc.org ; willmartinbcba@gmail.com

Article Citation:

Jessel J, Metras R, Hanley GP, Jessel C, Ingvarsson ET. Does analysis brevity result in loss of control? A consecutive case series of 26 single-session interview informed synthesized contingency analyses. Behavioral Interventions. 2019;1-11. https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.1695