The latest edition of the gold standard in introductory behavior analysis texts
In the newly revised second edition of An Introduction to Behavior Analysis, a team of experienced researchers delivers an engaging and comprehensive introduction to the theoretical fundamentals and applications of behavior analysis. The authors focus on practical issues encountered by practicing behavior analysts, including Pavlovian and operant learning, reinforcement and punishment, motivation and stimulus control, and other key concepts in the field.
The book clearly articulates and defends the philosophical assumptions and overarching goals of behavior analysis. It describes objective data collection, experimental methods, and data analysis in the context of modern psychology. You'll also find:
- Core behavioral analysis principles explained in an accessible way that are appropriate for introductory audiences
- Expert discussions of a variety of common behavior issues, including language, substance-use disorders, and psychological disorders
- Up-to-date examinations of the latest empirical research and theory, along with identifications of areas that require further data and study
- Complimentary access to a companion website containing PowerPoint slides and a test bank for each chapter
Perfect for students undertaking their first course in behavior analysis or behavior modification, An Introduction to Behavior Analysis is also a must-read for trainees pursuing certification through the Behavior Analysis Certification Board and for students of the applied psychological sciences.
Preface xv
AI Disclosure xxiii
About the Companion Website xxiv
1 An Introduction to Behavior Analysis 1
2 Behavioral Research and Measures 28
3 Experimental Designs in Behavior Analysis 55
4 Phylogenetic Behavior and Pavlovian Learning 92
5 Operant Learning I: Reinforcement 130
6 Operant Learning II: Positive and Negative
7 Operant Extinction and Differential
8 Unconditioned Reinforcers, Conditioned
9 Motivation, Reinforcer Efficacy, and Habit
10 Punishment 291
11 Complex Contingencies of Reinforcement 324
12 Antecedent Stimulus Control 355
13 Choice 386
14 Verbal Behavior, Rule-Following, and Clinical
Appendix 457
Glossary 463
Author Index 473
Subject Index 482
Gregory J. Madden, PhD, is a professor of Psychology and Director of the Behavior Analysis program at Utah State University. He has served as the Editor-in-Chief of the APA Handbook of Behavior Analysis and the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior. He is the co-Editor-in-Chief of the 2nd edition of the APA Handbook of Behavior Analysis (2026). He is an award-winning teacher and scholar and a Fellow of the Association for Behavior Analysis International.
Derek D. Reed, PhD, BCBA-D, is Director of Applied Behavioral Sciences at the Institutes for Behavior Resources, and Adjunct Researcher in the Department of Applied Behavioral Science at the University of Kansas. He has served as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, Behavior Analysis in Practice, and The Psychological Record. He was previously the Executive Director of the Society for the Quantitative Analyses of Behavior and has published four other co-edited books.
