1. Interpersonal Communications
Chapter 8
25 Essential Skills and Strategies for the Professional Behavior Analyst
Sandra R. Gomes
Ethics and Professionalism
Caldwell College

2. Overview What makes a person likeable
Interpersonal skills for behavior analysis settings
Seven Stages
Initial intake with client
Present your analysis
Present treatment plan for approval
Preparation and training of the mediator
Intervention in place
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Maintenance
Termination
Interpersonal communications with everyone else
Summary

3. What makes a person likeable?
Warm personality
Friendly
Empathetic
Accepting and forgiving
Smiling a lot
Not being pushy

4. Likeability: When, Where & with Whom?
When is it important to display likeable behaviors?
Where is important to display likeable behaviors?
With Whom is it important to display likeable behaviors?
Get an objective evaluation if possible
Colleague
Supervisor
Professor

5. Interpersonal Skills for Behavior Analysis Settings
“Maximum effectiveness of the technology depends on the interpersonal communications of its practitioners”
Seven Stages
Interpersonal communication with clients (Initial intake with the client)

6. Seven Stages (Continued)
Present your analysis
Review the case
Meet with the client or client surrogate
Build your case slowly
Show data you may have
Use anecdotes and stories from own experience
Sign treatment plan/business contract

7. Seven Stages (Continued)
Present treatment plan for approval
Final plan for approval
Firm up an agreement for your proposal
Explicit request for client consent and cooperation (guideline 4.01)
In therapy settings, a team of professionals will sign the plan, indicating their consent

8. Seven Stages (Continued)
Preparation and training of the mediator
Training the mediator (e.g., parent, teacher, or paraprofessional)
Training in business settings
Create task analyses
Be patient
Model desired behavior
Take data
Provide positive feedback (e.g., role play)

9. Seven Stages (Continued)
Showtime: Intervention is finally in place
Make sure that your newly trained mediator is following protocol
Use descriptive reinforcement
Troubleshoot
Shape performance of the mediator
Raise the bar
Thin schedule of reinforcement

10. Seven Stages (Continued)
Online monitoring, evaluation, and maintenance
Gradually phase yourself out
Maintenance phase
Provide encouragement
Termination
Wrap things up

11. Interpersonal Communications with Everyone Else
Communicating with your boss or supervisor
Do not discuss other employees
Give away personal information in a weak moment
Do not appear to be timid, paranoid, or a threatened individual
Be flexible, constructive, open to feedback and pay close attention

12. Interpersonal Communications with Everyone Else
Communicating with your colleagues
Rule # 1: Do not gossip
Rule # 2: Do not discuss salary or benefits
Private matter between employer and employee
Rule # 3: Be wary of dual relationships

13. Interpersonal Communications with Everyone Else
Communicating with direct reports
“Try to be the supervisor you always wanted but never had!”
Make sure you have good stimulus control when describing goals and objectives
Use clear descriptions of desired behaviors
Be precise
Analyze situations
Finally: Reinforcement

14. Summary Be a likeable person Show a caring attitude
Be friendly but professional
Be prepared in meetings
Deliver content so that others understand it
Give plenty of positive feedback

15. Reference
Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2001). 25 Essential skills & strategies for the professional behavior analyst. New York: Routledge.

16. Questions?