Date of Award

Spring 4-24-2026

Thesis Type

Open Access

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis and Clinical Science

Committee Member(s)

Dr. Stephanie Trauschke

Dr. Michele Williams

Rachel Commodario

Abstract

Effective collaboration between behavior analysts and healthcare providers depends on a shared understanding. This study explored how healthcare professionals perceive technical versus plain-language ABA terminology. Healthcare providers (n = 44) rated 10 common ABA terms and their plain-language counterparts across clarity, acceptability, comfort, and likelihood of use. In addition, participants completed a paired-choice procedure in which they selected their preferred terminology for each term pair. Plain-language terminology was generally rated more favorably across all four dimensions and was preferred by approximately 70.6% of respondents. However, this pattern was not consistent across all terms, as several technical terms (e.g., negative reinforcement) were rated similarly to or more favorably than their plain-language equivalents and were selected more frequently in direct comparisons. These results suggest that simplifying behavioral language can enhance comprehension and comfort, consistent with prior research demonstrating that plain-language terminology improves acceptability and understanding among nonbehavioral professionals (e.g., Becirevic et al., 2016; Jarmolowicz et al., 2008). The findings underscore the need to balance technical precision with accessible communication to support interdisciplinary collaboration. Beyond practical implications, the findings highlight the ethical obligation of behavior analysts to communicate in ways that are both scientifically accurate and socially valid.

Rights Holder

Marisa Hurlock

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