This Way of Thinking: Patrick C. Friman, Ph.D., ABPP and the Circumstances View

This Way of Thinking: Patrick C. Friman, Ph.D., ABPP and the Circumstances View

Who is Patrick C. Friman, Ph.D., ABPP?

Patrick C. Friman, Ph.D., ABPP is a pivotal figure in behavioral health, widely recognized in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Currently the Vice President of Behavioral Health at Boys Town and a Clinical Professor at the University of Nebraska School of Medicine, Dr. Friman previously held influential roles at Johns Hopkins University, University of Pennsylvania, Creighton University Schools of Medicine, and the University of Nevada. He is a Fellow of the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and multiple divisions of the American Psychological Association (APA), boasting an extensive publication record with over 190 scientific articles. Dr. Friman's work has notably bridged behavioral pediatrics and medicine, focusing on closing the gap between medical care and psychological services, thereby reshaping our understanding and treatment of behavior issues in children and adolescents.

Understanding the Circumstances View of Problem Behavior

Dr. Friman formally introduced the Circumstances View of problem behavior in his groundbreaking article "There is no such thing as a bad boy: The Circumstances View of problem behavior" (2021). However, two years before the publication, he laid out the same argument for the film "This Way of Thinking" available on this very website. According to Dr. Friman, this approach emphasizes that problem behavior arises from environmental factors, poor teaching, and negative modeling rather than inherent flaws within individuals. For example, consider a child frequently labeled as "aggressive" or "defiant." Under the Circumstances View, we investigate the child's home and school environments, identifying stressors such as parental conflict, inconsistent discipline, or negative peer influences rather than simply labeling the child as inherently problematic. Inspired by Father Edward J. Flanagan’s foundational philosophy at Boys Town, this viewpoint reframes behavioral issues as opportunities to change conditions rather than to assign blame.

Sarah Trautman is seen sitting with Dr. Patrick C. Friman on the campus of Boys Town during filming of "This Way of Thinking"

The Power and Benefits of the Circumstances View

Adopting the Circumstances View fosters compassion and effective interventions. Dr. Friman highlights how embracing this perspective leads to meaningful outcomes, such as the deinstitutionalization of vulnerable populations, significant improvements in behavioral treatment outcomes for disorders like autism, depression, and anxiety, and overall societal benefit through decreased blame and punishment. Returning to the earlier example, by addressing the stressful home situation through parental training and positive behavioral interventions in school, the child's aggressive and defiant behaviors decrease significantly, demonstrating the practical benefits of this compassionate perspective.

Obstacles to the Adoption of the Circumstances View

Despite its effectiveness, the Circumstances View faces several barriers. Dr. Friman identifies challenges, including societal preference for easy blame attribution, ingrained cultural habits of punishment, resistance within professional communities to adopting behavior analytic language, and limited dissemination due to methodological rigor and insular research practices within behavior analysis. Using the same example, even after seeing positive changes, school personnel and parents might still instinctively attribute occasional misbehaviors to the child's "bad character," reflecting the ingrained preference for blaming individuals rather than maintaining the compassionate Circumstances View consistently.

Recommendations for Broadening Adoption of "This Way of Thinking"

To enhance the reach of this compassionate and effective approach, Dr. Friman proposes strategic recommendations, including adopting understandable language, leveraging storytelling to illustrate behavior analytic principles, and embracing marketing strategies to popularize the approach. This call for behavior analysts to communicate more broadly and accessibly can fundamentally shift societal responses to problem behavior.

Adopting Understandable Language

• Replace technical jargon with common terms familiar to families, educators, and community members to improve comprehension and acceptance. For example, instead of "operant conditioning," use "reward-based learning."

• Use analogies and relatable language when explaining interventions; for instance, comparing behavior management strategies to training methods used by coaches in sports or metaphors used by religious leaders

• Clearly explain the practical benefits of changing environmental conditions, making it easy for parents and teachers to see direct connections between changes in circumstances and improvements in behavior.

Leveraging Storytelling to Illustrate Behavior Analytic Principles

• Share compelling real-world stories, like the case of the child labeled "aggressive," showing tangible improvements through altering environmental factors and demonstrating practical, compassionate solutions.

• Utilize testimonials from families, teachers, and professionals who have experienced transformative results by embracing the Circumstances View.

• Develop engaging multimedia content, including films like "This Way of Thinking," podcasts, or blogs that vividly illustrate the success stories of this approach.

For more on Storytelling, see The Science of Storytelling: A Powerful Tool for BCBAs

Embracing Marketing Strategies to Popularize the Approach

• Highlight successful case studies and before-and-after scenarios prominently in promotional materials to illustrate tangible benefits to schools and communities.

• Collaborate with influencers and respected figures in education and mental health to publicly endorse and promote the Circumstances View.

• Offer accessible and attractive professional development opportunities, such as BCBA CEUs, that clearly emphasize the practical benefits of adopting this approach.

"This Way of Thinking": Bringing the Circumstances View to Life

In 2019, I had the privilege of closely collaborating with Patrick C. Friman, Ph.D., ABPP, to create a compelling film, "This Way of Thinking." The film vividly portrays Dr. Friman's tireless global advocacy for this compassionate approach to behavioral and mental health. Alongside Sarah Trautman, Dr. Friman explores the historical roots at Boys Town Village, drawing clear parallels between Father Flanagan's pioneering efforts and contemporary behavior analytic practices. "This Way of Thinking" visually demonstrates the transformative power of shifting our focus to environmental and circumstantial solutions, rather than attributing personal blame.

Earn BCBA CEUs by Experiencing "This Way of Thinking"

The Behavior Academy proudly offers "This Way of Thinking" as a BCBA CEUs opportunity. As behavior analysts and BCBA professionals, viewing this film not only enriches your professional development but also deepens your understanding of Dr. Friman’s powerful Circumstances View. This film is a must-see for those seeking practical, compassionate, and scientifically-grounded approaches to behavioral intervention. "This Way of Thinking" is more than just a film—it embodies a movement towards more compassionate and effective behavior analytic practices. Experience firsthand how shifting perspectives from blame to circumstances can revolutionize your practice and enrich your personal understanding. Join us at The Behavior Academy, earn your BCBA CEUs, and become part of the community that embraces this transformative approach. Witness how Patrick C. Friman, Ph.D., ABPP’s insights, brought vividly to life in "This Way of Thinking," can fundamentally change how we respond to problem behavior.

References

Friman P. C. (2021) There is no such thing as a bad boy: The Circumstances View of problem behavior. J Appl Behav Anal. 2021 Apr;54(2):636-653. doi: 10.1002/jaba.816. Epub 2021 Feb 11. PMID: 33570187.

About the Author: 

Ryan O’Donnell, MS, BCBA is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with over 15 years of experience in the field. He has dedicated his career to helping individuals improve their lives through behavior analysis and are passionate about sharing their knowledge and expertise with others. He oversees The Behavior Academy and helps top ABA professionals create video-based content in the form of films, online courses, and in-person training events. He is committed to providing accurate, up-to-date information about the field of behavior analysis and the various career paths within it.