What is the difference between psychologist and an applied behavior analysis?

[InfoNerd101]

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Aside from one being a masters level and the other being a doctorate what else is the difference?

Do ABA's diagnose or treat?

 

[erg923]

Aside from one being a masters level and the other being a doctorate what else is the difference?

Do ABA's diagnose or treat?

Behavior analysis, as it suggests, focuses on treating behavioral problems (both pure and those secondary to psychiatric disturbance or cognitive/intellectual deficits) from a purely behavioral perspective/lens. Functional analaysis, gathering of data to establish trends, and then a subsequent intervention program or plan that utilizes various forms of operant learning are then applied. Psychologists can do this (I did for a time), although BAs tend to be a bit more formally edcuated on the process.

Psychologist's scope of practice is much, much larger than this. You can visit the Ph.D./Psy.D. board to learn more about the practice of psychology and tghe various different roles and jobs we have.