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Relational Density in the World: Critically Evaluating Resistance and Coherence in the Emergence and Maintenance of Culture with Dr. Ashley Payne & Dr. Jordan Belisle

Radical behaviorism and functional contextualism both emerged from within philosophical pragmatism, that itself emerged as an on-going solution to systems of oppression and injustice. Science itself, including the field of behavior analysis, is viewed through a constructionist lens wherein theories are developed or constructed to solve applied challenges. Those challenges that are resolved initially trend toward those experienced by majority cultures that hold historical and present social power and influence, leaving solutions largely unexplored for groups most impacted, including members of the behavior analysis community and those we serve. Moreover, solutions that may appear workable for a majority group can directly disadvantage minority groups, perpetuating cycles of violence and oppression. In this presentation, we will review critical theories (Critical Race Theory, Feminist Theory) and their link to behavior analytic concepts like relational frame theory and metacontingencies. We will also discuss how RDT models allow for a functional analysis of racist and sexist beliefs that perpetuate disadvantage for members of BIPOC communities, LGBTQIA+ communities, and intersectional identities, as well as the contingencies that maintain relational biases. Finally, we will discuss stigma against autistic communities through this same critical lens, emphasizing work in disability studies. In all cases, we propose provisional solutions and areas for further research, where behavior analysts might contribute to engineering cultural humility in our practice and our world.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe critical theories, such as Critical Race Theory and Feminist Theory, through a pragmatic and constructionist lens
2. Describe how biased relational framing is nested within oppressive systems and privileged contingencies
3. Apply the framework to developing solutions to challenges faced by members of BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, and intersectional communities

May 15, 2023 02:00 PM in Pacific Time (US and Canada)