Meet your Administrators
Dr. Anna Linnehan
Anna M. Linnehan, Ph.D., BCBA-D, is an Assistant Professor of Behavioral Science at the Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis and a faculty member at Endicott College. She holds both her master’s and doctoral degrees in Applied Behavior Analysis from Endicott College in Beverly, MA.
Dr. Linnehan began her career as a professional chemist before transitioning to behavioral science, driven by her passion for using scientific principles to improve lives. Her research integrates the Goldiamond-Layng Theory, a behavioral contingency analytic approach to emotions, with instructional design to teach emotional concepts and help individuals identify and problem-solve their own emotional behavior. Her TEDx talk, Why Reassurance Doesn’t Always Make Us Feel Better, highlights this work.
In addition to her research, Dr. Linnehan is dedicated to the dissemination of nonlinear contingency analysis and assent-based procedures, applying Israel Goldiamond’s constructional approach to behavior. She also explores signal detection theory to analyze decision-making processes and behavior. Dr. Linnehan is also interested in investigating the role of AI in training behavior analysts as well as prompt engineering combined with instructional design.
Dr. Linnehan recently co-authored the book Decisions and Judgments in Ambiguous Situations: A Conceptual Introduction to Signal Detection Theory with Dr. T. V. Joe Layng. She also served as an editor and contributing author for Perspectives on Neurodiversity and Belonging: Reflections for Behavior Analysts.
Her contributions extend to peer-reviewed journals, where she has served on multiple editorial boards, and she is an Advisor for the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies. As an educator, Dr. Linnehan enjoys teaching behavioral science at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels, inspiring the next generation of behavior analysts.
Awab Abdel-Jalil
Awab Abdel-Jalil, MS, BCBA, is the senior behavior analysis researcher at Upstate Caring Partners. He is also a current PhD student at Endicott College under Dr. T. V. Joe Layng’s mentorship. Awab began his study of behavior analysis as an undergraduate at the University of North Texas and carried his passion for the science into the graduate program. On the graduate level, he completed his Masters thesis under Dr. Jesús Rosales-Ruiz’s guidance. Awab coauthored the book Nonlinear Contingency Analysis: Going Beyond Cognition and Behavior in Clinical Practice, two papers and a chapter on a nonlinear constructional approach to assent, and a systematic literature review on exposure therapies for medical procedures. He’s given over 35 symposia, workshops, and papers at major behavioral science conferences on several topics including nonlinear contingency analysis, the constructional approach, assent, emotions, problem solving, and exposure therapy. He’s also currently an adjunct instructor for Endicott College’s Master ABA program, and a Distinguished Scholar for the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies.
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The Constructional Approach to Behavior Analysis 