Guest Blog by Andresa De Souza, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Andresa De Souza, Ph.D., BCBA-D, is an Associate Professor and Program Director of the Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. She currently serves as President of the Verbal Behavior Special Interest Group (VB SIG), one of the oldest SIGs within ABAI. Her work focuses on verbal behavior, generative language, and skill acquisition in individuals with developmental disabilities. Dr. De Souza is an Associate Editor for The Analysis of Verbal Behavior and serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. She previously served as Dissemination Coordinator for the VB SIG, where she launched the VB SIG–ABACNJ online event series for the dissemination of theoretical, empirical, and applications of Skinner’s analysis of verbal behavior. She remains committed to mentoring students, supporting international collaboration, and promoting the advancement of behavior-analytic conceptualization and approaches to language.
In 1977, during the annual MABA convention held at the historic Blackstone Hotel in Chicago, a group of behavior analysts came together to discuss a topic that, at the time, was largely underrepresented in the field: Skinner’s Verbal Behavior (1957). The meeting was titled Teachers Teaching Courses Using B.F. Skinner’s Book, Verbal Behavior (Or, Those Who Would Like To) and was chaired by W. Scott Wood. That year also marked the 20th anniversary of the book’s publication, yet it had gained little traction in academic training or published research. Skinner himself was in attendance, as were more than 200 curious and enthusiastic participants. That single meeting would go on to shape the foundation of what we now know as the ABAI Verbal Behavior Special Interest Group (VB SIG).
At the time, verbal behavior as a field of study faced significant challenges. There were no defined methodologies for studying language as behavior. Empirical publications on verbal behavior were sparse, with the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (JABA) and the Journal of Experimental Analysis of Behavior (JEAB) rarely featuring relevant studies. Only a handful of university programs offered coursework explicitly focused on Skinner’s analysis of verbal behavior. For many early supporters, there was a shared sense of urgency. If Skinner’s functional analysis of verbal behavior was to gain traction in our field, it would require intentional effort and community-building.
By 1982, the group launched the VB-NEWS, a printed newsletter that served as an early forum for sharing updates, commentary, and emerging research. This effort laid the groundwork for what would become the group’s most enduring contribution: the establishment of The Analysis of Verbal Behavior (TAVB) in 1985. Now in its fourth decade, TAVB remains the primary peer-reviewed journal dedicated to Skinner’s analysis of verbal behavior, publishing conceptual, experimental, and applied work on a wide range of topics including mands, tacts, autoclitics, multiple control, and the development of generative language.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the VB SIG was led by a succession of committed chairs, including Libby Street, Phil Chase, Genae Hall, Sam Leigland, Bill Potter, and Mark Sundberg, who helped grow the SIG’s influence and scholarly output. As one of the oldest Special Interest Groups within ABAI, the VB SIG has played a foundational role in preserving, advancing, and disseminating Skinner’s functional analysis of verbal behavior.
Many of the historical details presented here are drawn from a presentation delivered by Dr. Mark Sundberg for a special panel titled A Historical Account from the Lens of Past Chairs, hosted by the VB SIG and ABACNJ in 2023. I had the privilege of organizing this event in my role as the Dissemination Coordinator. Dr. Sundberg’s account emphasized how pioneers like Jack Michael, Scott Wood, and himself worked to formalize the group in the years that followed that 1977 meeting. You can watch Dr. Sundberg’s presentation below.
The VB SIG Today
Today, the VB SIG is a dynamic organization with an international membership. Our mission remains rooted in supporting the advancement of verbal behavior research and its applications. Over the years, the group has grown well beyond its original purpose, expanding its reach through new initiatives and strategic planning. One major milestone was achieving official 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in 2024, a goal first set in motion as early as 2009. This designation has allowed the SIG to formalize its operations, receive tax-deductible donations, and offer financial support to students and professionals. Here is the link to our donation page.
The leadership’s ongoing efforts to ensure financial sustainability and organizational continuity have laid the groundwork for long-term impact. As a result, the VB SIG now offers a wide range of opportunities for engagement, support, and recognition:
- Student Support: Through its Student Group, research and travel grants, and mentorship opportunities, the VB SIG is deeply committed to supporting emerging scholars. Annual awards include the Student Paper Competition, Student Research Grant, and the John Mabry Travel Grant, each designed to foster scholarship and engagement from the earliest stages of one’s professional journey.
- Professional Recognition: The SIG celebrates excellence and innovation through several annual professional awards, including the Clinical Supervisor in Verbal Behavior Award, Early Career Researcher Award, Excellence in Teaching Verbal Behavior Award, and the Jack Michael Award for Distinguished Contributions. These awards highlight impactful contributions to Skinner’s analysis of verbal behavior across practice, research, and instruction.
- Publications and Dissemination: Members receive the VB SIG newsletter three times a year and access resources for instruction, course development, and research. The SIG also coordinates CEU events and webinars, maintains active social media channels, and hosts invited speakers and symposia at ABAI’s annual conventions.
- Grant Opportunities: Following its designation as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the SIG gained the ability to provide financial support to members through competitive research grants. A notable example includes the generous 2024 donation from the late Dr. John Mabry, which has expanded funding opportunities for researchers focused on verbal behavior.
- Sustainability and Leadership: To ensure organizational health and longevity, the SIG has implemented strong succession planning practices. Job aids, staggered board terms, centralized documentation, and leadership mentoring are now part of how the SIG sustains continuity and growth.
- Membership Benefits: Members, both students and professionals, gain access to exclusive content, discounted CEUs, mentorship programs, voting privileges, award eligibility, and opportunities to shape the direction of the SIG.
Looking Ahead
From a single hotel room to a global network of professionals, the VB SIG has helped shape the field’s understanding of language as behavior. It remains a vital force in promoting functional, behavior-analytic approaches to language, while actively building pathways for the next generation of researchers and practitioners.
We invite you to be part of this ongoing journey and to help write the next chapter of the VB SIG’s story.
To learn more or become a member, visit: www.verbalbehaviorspecialinterestgroup.org
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Reference
Skinner, B. F. (1957). Verbal behavior. Prentice Hall