Applied Behavior Analysis

I ordered this book for my ABA program and it was advertised as the 3rd edition, when I received it it was the 2nd edition

There are a few things about this book that should be said right away. First, this is not really an introductory book to ABA, but works as a book that ties so many theories together. That means that it could be used in conjunction with many starter ABA books, allowing its reader to get a feel of just what ABA means. The book also works on both a Masters and a PhD level when it comes to conceptual decision/ debate (an oddity if I do say so myself), and covers so many things that cheaper guides seem to omit. This could mean bypassing some causal arena or not talking about something as simple as the C.A.R.R., but these tiny slips are really not so tiny when you think about them. There are plenty of great things listed about this book in other reviews, so I'll skip the addition of chapter content and the addition of material and its praise. Instead, I'll add that this is one of the few books that can make or break you when it comes to trying to get licensure. In fact, this book has been listed as one of the top 10 preparation guides to use before testing, and that is some high praise considering how vaunted the test actually is. More than this, however, is the fact that this is a tool that can help you in real life scenarios and, truthfully, that is more important than being able to simply pass tests. In samples as heterogeneous as those seen in autism, you really need to know how to handle multiple scenarios to make a difference. If you are looking for a navigation tool to help with the rocky waters of autism, this is a great book to acquire. It may have a price tag attached, but it proves invaluable in the long run and that matters more than anything. Recommended for the student in all of us.

This is a great textbook for ABA. It is perfect for studying for the Board Certification for Behavior Analysis (BCBA).

This text is spectacular. This edition is a triumph. I was a bit dubious when the forward obliquely compared this book to The Beatles (The White Album), but have become more sympathetic to the perspective as I have spent more time with it. Cooper/Heron is simply the book to use in studying Applied Behavior Analysis. It's not chummy or dated like some texts of 70s (an effort to reduce the response effort of learning the material, no doubt). Instead it is complete, precise and well written. My sincere thanks to the authors. Worth twice the going price.

I just received my copy of Applied Behaviour Analysis Second Edition today and have not put it down for several hours. I work as an ABA therapist and I am convinced that this is a learning and reference tool I will use for a long time to come to help me be better at what I do. It is very straight forward and well put together. The references to the Board Certification Task list content are excellent and the new additional chapters on Verbal Behaviour, Ethics, Motivation, Negative Reinforcement and Functional Behaviour Assessment are a real asset and make having the second edition well worth the wait. The textbook really covers a huge amount of information and is well well worth the purchase.

I work as a behavioral consultant for children with autism and have read hundreds of ABA-related books -- good, bad, and ugly. I first came into contact with this one while getting my Masters in ABA from Columbia U. It was the foundation of several of my courses and definitely the source I return to most often in my consulting work. The book is expensive but well, well worth it. I highly recommend it. Here's a chapter list so that you can judge for yourself:1. Definition & Characteristics of ABA... 2. Basic Concepts (behavior, respondent/operant conditioning, reinforcers, and three-term contingencies)... 3. Selecting & Defining Target Behavior... 4. Measuring & Recording Behavior... 5. Planning & Directing Observational Procedures... 6. Production & Interpretation of Graphic Data Displays... 7. Introduction to Analysis... 8. Reversal & Alternating Treatment Designs... 9. Multiple Baseline & Changing Criterion Designs... 10. Planning, Replicating & Evaluating Research in ABA... 11. Operant Reinforcement... 12. Schedules of Reinforcement... 13. Stimulus Control... 14. Behavioral Shaping... 15. Behavior Chains... 16. Imitation... 17. Extinction... 18. Decreasing Behavior with Differential Reinforcement... 19. Punishment by Contingent Presentation of a Stimulus... 20. Overcorrection... 21. Time Out from Positive Reinforcement... 22. Response Cost... 23. Contingency Contracting... 24. Token Economy... 25. Group-Oriented Contingencies... 26. Self-Management... 27. Promoting the Generality of Behavior Change... 28. Communicating the Results of Behavior Change Efforts...-- (also includes references, glossary, and name and subject indices)