Maryland Association for Behavior Analysis
annual meeting
Plans are underway for the 11th Annual Maryland Association for Behavior Analysis Conference to be held on Friday, December 5, 2008 in Baltimore, Maryland. Please check back for updated information.

iconAbout MABA

The Maryland Association for Behavior Analysis was founded in 1998 to serve as a scientific and professional reference group for those in Maryland who identify themselves as scientists or practitioners that embrace the principles and practices of behavior analysis. For many years prior, several individuals had seriously considered organizing behavior analysts in the state. These initial movements grew out of the "Behavior Modification Family," a collection of behavior analysts that met informally throughout the 1970’s to discuss the field and research in their laboratories throughout Maryland. MABA evolved out of this core at Maryland’s universities, who’s members included A. Charles Catania, Richard Foxx, Don Hake, and Michael Cataldo.

Although the interest in, and personnel for, a more formal organization had been present for many years, it was not until several years later that specific circumstances arose to provide sufficient interest and motivation to get organized. The driving forces behind this organization were Wayne Fisher (MABA’s first president), Michael Cataldo, and Lynn Bowman (MABA’s first secretary and treasurer, known throughout the organization as Madam MABA).

Since its inception, one of the primary activities of the organization has been to organize and sponsor an annual meeting to serve as a forum for the presentation of scientific and technological achievements as well as for discussion of the affairs of the organization. At its inaugural meeting, presenters discussed and described the rich history of behavior analysis in the state. Presenters included Joseph Brady, Michael Cataldo, A. Charles Catania, Andy Egel, and Wayne Fisher.

When MABA was originally founded, it consisted primarily of individuals from the State of Maryland. Since its inception, MABA has grown to over 200 members and has brought together behavior analysts from the Mid-Atlantic region (e.g., Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and New Jersey). Members include individuals from a variety of professional backgrounds (e.g., direct care personnel, students, researchers, faculty, and psychologists), all of whom are interested in the advancement of behavior analysis in this area.

MABA has provided behavior analysts in this region an opportunity to learn from distinguished speakers such as Joseph Brady, A. Charles Catania, Michael F. Cataldo, Wayne Fisher, Gina Green, Brian Iwata, Gerald Shook, Judith Favell, Michael Perone, Patrick Friman, Kennon A. Lattal, Philip Hineline, Bridget Taylor, Brian K. Martens, M. Jackson Marr, and Carol Pilgrim. Furthermore, it has given members an opportunity to learn about the activities of behavior analytic programs in this region such as the Departments of Psychology at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, West Virginia University, and Temple University as well as activities in the Department of Behavioral Psychology at the Kennedy Krieger Institute and the Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The activities of behavior analysts in this region have included work in the areas of drug addiction, education, developmental disabilities, and basic behavioral research. Finally, MABA has begun the process of educating members and the public of the potential benefits of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) moving toward the increased recognition of BCBAs at a regional level.

SungWoo Kahng, Iser G. DeLeon, and A. Charles Catania
(portions of this were published in the Association for Behavior Analysis Newsletter, Volume 26[3])